In many developing and underdeveloped economy,many people live below the poverty line.The cost of food with essential nutrients are relatively high and consequently scarcely affordable to low income earners.Unfortunat...In many developing and underdeveloped economy,many people live below the poverty line.The cost of food with essential nutrients are relatively high and consequently scarcely affordable to low income earners.Unfortunately,certain nutrient sources can beneglected by local people,and thus encourage the danger of species extinction.This study was carried out to determine the basic nutrient compositions of the larvae of Raphia Palm Weevils.Nutritional components such as the proximate,mineral and vitamincompositions were determined.Proximate analysis of the sample was carried out according to standard methods as described in AOAC.Mineral compositions were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.Vitamins were assayed using standard colorimetric and titration methods.The results show relatively high mean moisture content,39.95±0.95%;indicating that the bulk of the larvae constitute water.Mean concentrations of crude protein,crude fibre and crude fat(23.48±1.13%,13.18±0.32%and 17.38±0.49%)were high.Mineral analysis(mg/100g)revealed very high levels of calcium,221.24±0.59;magnesium,56.88±0.16;iron,18.70±0.76;zinc,15.14±0.05;potassium,8.77±0.08 and sodium,6.72±0.14.The larva was found to be rich in vitamin C,440.00±39.66 mg/100g;vitamin A,15.74±1.08 mg/100g and vitamin B6,72.75±4.75 mg/100g;with a low level of vitamin E,2.59±0.14 mg/100g;implying that the larva could be good supplements for these nutrients.展开更多
文摘In many developing and underdeveloped economy,many people live below the poverty line.The cost of food with essential nutrients are relatively high and consequently scarcely affordable to low income earners.Unfortunately,certain nutrient sources can beneglected by local people,and thus encourage the danger of species extinction.This study was carried out to determine the basic nutrient compositions of the larvae of Raphia Palm Weevils.Nutritional components such as the proximate,mineral and vitamincompositions were determined.Proximate analysis of the sample was carried out according to standard methods as described in AOAC.Mineral compositions were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.Vitamins were assayed using standard colorimetric and titration methods.The results show relatively high mean moisture content,39.95±0.95%;indicating that the bulk of the larvae constitute water.Mean concentrations of crude protein,crude fibre and crude fat(23.48±1.13%,13.18±0.32%and 17.38±0.49%)were high.Mineral analysis(mg/100g)revealed very high levels of calcium,221.24±0.59;magnesium,56.88±0.16;iron,18.70±0.76;zinc,15.14±0.05;potassium,8.77±0.08 and sodium,6.72±0.14.The larva was found to be rich in vitamin C,440.00±39.66 mg/100g;vitamin A,15.74±1.08 mg/100g and vitamin B6,72.75±4.75 mg/100g;with a low level of vitamin E,2.59±0.14 mg/100g;implying that the larva could be good supplements for these nutrients.
