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Abstract

The chemical properties of the African palm weevil, Rhychophorus phoenicis (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), larvae were evaluated using standard methodology. The chloroform-methanol extract yielded 37.12% on a dry basis. The oil was liquid at room temperature with a flash point of 36.0 °C. Analysis of the physical constants indicated values of 192.25 Wijs and 427.70 mg KOH/g as iodine and saponification, respectively. Fatty acid analysis of the extracted oil showed the presence of unsaturated fatty acids at low levels. Palmitic acid and stearic acid constituted 35.3 and 60.5% of the oil, respectively. The usual behaviour of the oil at room temperature, irrespective of the level of unsaturation of its constituent fatty acid was noted. The total protein content of the defatted palm weevil larva (dry basis) was estimated at 66.3%. The amino acid values compared favourably to FAO reference protein, except for tryptophan, which was limiting. All the other essential amino acids were adequate. Mineral analysis revealed high levels of potassium (1025 mg/100 g) and phosphorus (685 mg/100 g). The dried and defatted palm weevil lava represents a very good source of protein, and a good complement of essential amino acids.

Keywords: amino acids, edible insects, fatty acids, minerals

Correspondence: ^a elemojide@yahoo.com, ^b gloelemo@yahoo.com, ^c ochikes83@gmail.com, ^d loreks@yahoo.co.uk, *Corresponding author

Editor: Allen Cohen was Editor of this paper.

Received: 12 December 2010 | Accepted: 7 August 2011 | Published: 4 November 2011

Copyright: This is an open access paper. We use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license that permits unrestricted use, provided that the paper is properly attributed.  

ISSN: 1536-2442 | Volume 11, Number 146

Elemo BO, Elemo GN, Makinde MA, Erukainure OL. 2011. Chemical evaluation of African palm weevil, Rhychophorus phoenicis, larvae as a food source. Journal of Insect Science 11:146 available online: insectscience.org/11.146