Advances in Science and Technology, Vol. 4, No. 1, March / April 2010, pp 49 - 53

Nutritional Quality of an Edible Caterpillar of a Lepidopteran alcinoe

W. Braide1*, T.G. Sokari2 and A.D. Hart3 1 Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State. 2 Department of Applied and Environmental Biology, 3 Department of Food Science Technology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology P.M.B 5080 , Nkpolu, Port Harcourt. (Submitted: August 8, 2009; Accepted: February 24, 2010)

Abstract Investigation into the proximate characteristics of an edible caterpillar of a lepidopteran, was carried out using standard methods. Determination of amino acid profile consisted of hydrolysis of proteins to constituent amino acids followed by the quantitative estimation of amino acids in the hydrolysate.Crude protein, fibre, ash, fats and moisture contents were determined by AOAC methods. Chromatogram peaks of hydrolysate showed that the caterpillar contain all the essential amino acids that would avert risk associated with amino acid deficiencies in a diet. The nutritional analyses of the caterpillar showed a high level of protein (53.22%). The crude fibre (9.41%) and ash (6.42%) are high and may aid bowel movement and increase mineral contents respectively in the human body. The gross energy value of the caterpillar is high (433.80 Kcal) and could facilitate protein utilization and therefore avert protein - energy malnutrition. It is therefore concluded that the caterpillar of B. alcinoe is a complete protein and regular consumption of these and their products would boost amino acid levels in the body.

Keywords: Nutritional quality, caterpillar, Bunaea alcinoe

1.0 Introduction Ademolekun (1993) reported that because of the high cost of conventional protein foods, protein There has been an upsurge of interest in the use of energy malnutrition is widespread in rural Nigeria. as food. Edible insects are and have been He opined that entomophagy has gained prominence traditionally and nutritionally important food for in recent years as a result of drought and poor Africans, Asians, Australian, and Latin Americans economic conditions and has undoubtedly played for many years (Allotey and Mpuchane, 2003). A an important role in reducing kwashiorkor in young number of insects including winged termites, children. The caterpillar of a lepidopteran, Bunaea grasshoppers, locust, weevils, ants, grubs, beetles alcinoe, locally called Egu by the Igbo speaking and caterpillars are edible (Anthonio and Isoun, tribe of Nigeria is edible. It is a very popular delicacy 1982; Ivbijaro, 1990; Fasoranti and Ajiboye, 1993; in parts of Eastern and Southern Nigeria, where Moruakgomo, 1994, 1996; Siame et al., 1996; improvement in its harvest had been devised. The Gashe et al., 1997; Defoliart, 2002; Allotey and larvae are herbivorous and feed preferentially on the Mpuchane, 2003). Caterpillars and termites are the leaves of some economic and ornamental plants and most widely marketed insects in Africa, and many cause enormous devastation of the leaves. The leaves are important from the food standpoint, nutritionally, provide food for the highly voracious larvae. economically or ecologically (Defoliart, 1989). Knowledge about the ecology and the nutritional composition of the caterpillar in Nigeria is few Insects are high in proteins, energy (calories) and (Ogbalu, 2003; Amadi et al., 2005), although various vitamins and minerals (Defoliart, 1975; enormous reports exist on a related species, Sekhwela, 1989; Siame et al., 1996; Motshegwe Imbresia belina prevalent in Southern Africa et al., 1998; Pharithi et al., 2004; Amadi et al., (Sekhwela, 1989; Siame et al., 1996; Gashe et 2005). Quin (1959) and Gelfand (1971) suggested al., 1997; Motshegwe et al., 1998; Allotey and that insects may have supplied a substantial amount Mpuchane, 2003; Pharithi et al., 2004;). of “” protein in the diet of Southern Africans.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected] 50 Braide, Sokari and Hart

In this report the proximate compositions and amino 2.3 Determination of Amino Acid Profile acid profiles of the caterpillar of Bunaea alcinoe was investigated. The amino acid profile of the sample was determined using the method described by Sparkman et al. 2.0 Materials and Methods (1958). The sample was dried to constant weight, defatted, hydrolyzed, evaporated in a rotary Matured larvae (5th Instar) collected from the host evaporator and loaded into the Technicon sequential plant, Cananga odorata in an ornamental garden multi-sample amino acid analyzer (TSM). located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State were degutted 60 by pushing a long blunt stick through the mouth. This turns the larvae inside out. With the stick still in the larvae, the organism is washed clean, spiced to taste 50 crude protein and then roasted in red-hot charcoal for 3-5min (Chief Ernest Onyeneke, per comm.). Processed fat 40 ) were neatly wrapped and transported to the r moisture e t t Biotechnology Research Centre, University of Jos, a m

crude fibre y r

Nigeria for analysis. d 30

% ash (

s e u l carbohydrate

2.1 Drying of Samples for Analysis a V 20 Timely drying with reduced heat was employed to maintain the nutrient contents. To achieve this, 10 samples were dried in a cabolite moisture extraction oven controlled at 60-650C overnight. Dried samples were ground in a laboratory mill (Auther Thomas 0 brand) for 10min at a maximum speed, and the Parameters powder sieved through 212μm sieve (AOAC, 1995). Fig 4.1 Proximate composition of larvae of B. alcinoe Figure 1: Proximate Composition of larvae of B. 2.2 Chemical analysis of sample alcinoe

Samples were analyzed in triplicates and the mean 3.0 Results values obtained. All samples were determined on dry matter basis and the results interpreted in The values obtained for the proximate analysis of percentage. the larvae are: crude protein 53.22 ± 1.7, fat 21.72 ± 1.2, moisture 2.87 ± 0.2, fibre 9.41 ± 0.6, ash Moisture content of dried powder was determined 6.42 ± 0.4 and carbohydrate 5.41 ± 1.0 as shown by gravimetric method (AOAC, 2000). Crude in Fig 1. The protein value was obtained by protein was determined by the Kjedahl method multiplying % N2 value by 6.25, while the weight of (James, 1995; Chang, 2003), in which nitrogen moisture loss was obtained by the difference in weight content was determined by the furnace incineration of sample before and after drying and expressed as gravimetric method. Soxhlet solvent extraction a percentage of sample analyzed (AOAC, 1995). method described by James (1995) was used in the All analysis was done on dry matter basis and mean determination of fat content. Crude fibre and ash values of standard deviation obtained (Spiegel, were determined by the Weenden gravimetric 1961). method (kirk and Sawyer, 1998). Nitrogen free extracts (NFE) or total carbohydrates were Table 1 shows the amino acid profile of the larvae determined by calculation (the difference of sums of of B. alcinoe. The values obtained were compared the other food values from 100). to reference values obtained (WHO/FAO, 1973). Nutritional Quality of an Edible Caterpillar of a Lepidopteran Bunaea alcinoe 51

Table 1: Amino acid profiles of the larvae of B. bowel movement and prevent gastrointestinal alcinoe problems. The mean fat content (21.72%) is high Amino acids Mean ±SD *WHO/FAO showing that the sample has plenty oil. This value is Ref Values higher compared to the 10% recommended by many Lysine 5.38 ± 0.2 4.20 experts for an average man (Wardlaw and Kessel, Histidine 3.19 ± 0.1 2002). The composition of the fat was not Arginine 6.54 ± 0.2 determined. The ash content (6.42%) is high Aspartic acid 10.21 ± 0.3 indicating a high content of minerals. The amino acid Threonine 4.92 ± 0.1 2.80 Serine 3.29 ± 0.1 content of the caterpillar compares well with the Glutamic acid 15.64 ± 0.4 WHO profile, indicating protein of high biological Proline 3.01 ± 0.1 value, thus would support growth in children and Glycine 2.97 ± 0.1 tissue maintenance in adults. In addition, since the Alanine 4.46 ± 0.2 product is rich in protein, it can be used as an Cystine 0.80 ± 0.1 Valine 5.53 ± 3.1 4.20 alternative source of protein and as protein Methionine 2.53 ± 0.2 2.20 complements in foods and feeds, especially in Isoleucine 3.23 ± 0.3 2.40 developing countries confronted with problems of Leucine 8.09 ± 0.2 4.20 malnutrition resulting from high cost of conventional Tryosine 3.58 ± 0.1 protein foods. Phenylalanine 5.19 ± 0.2 2.80

* WHO/ FAO REFERENCE VALUES The larva contains all the essential amino acids in adequate amount required (Table 1).The importance Gross energy value of the larva (433.80 ± 5.8) was of amino acids in the synthesis of protein and its calculated according to WHO/FAO (1973) as the quality had been reported (Wardlaw and Kessel, mean values of standard deviation (Table 2). 2002; Delvin, 2006; FAO/WHO, 1973; WHO/ FAO, 1970). Wardlaw and Kessel (2002) also 4.0 Discussion reported that proteins are crucial to the regulation and maintenance of the body. The results obtained (see Figure 1) from this study shows that the caterpillar of B. alcinoe is rich in The gross energy value of the larvae is higher (Table protein and fat. The crude protein was very high 2) compared to the amount (40 – 46 Kcal) per kg (53.22 %) which indicates high nutritional qualities, of body weight required (WHO/FAO, 1973). This and could serve as supplement in animal feeds and implies that protein utilization from the will be in human diet. The high protein content of insects high (Wardlaw and Kessel, 2002) and thus avert had been reported (Oliveira et al., 1976; Sekwela, protein energy malnutrition resulting from inadequate 1989; Siame et al., 1996; Motshegwe et al., 1998; supply of protein in the diet. In addition, regular Pharithi et al., 2004; Amadi et al., 2005). Wardlaw consumption of insects and their products will boost and Kessel (2002) recommended 15% calories of the protein level and prevent the danger of reduced protein for an average man weighing 55kg. metabolic processes resulting from inadequate protein in the diet of man. The amino acids present The crude fibre (9.41%) is high and this could aid in the larvae is enough to build-up the needed pro-

Table 2: Gross energy (Kcal/100g) of the caterpillar of B. alcinoe (Mean ± SD)

Sample code P × 4.0 CHO × 4.0 F × 9.0 Total energy (Kcal/100g) (a) (b) (c) ( a+ b+ c) A 220.64 21.40 189.45 431.49 B 207.84 24.16 208.26 440.26 C 210.12 30.88 188.64 429.64 Mean ± SD 433.80 ± 5.8 P, Protein; CHO, Carbohydrate; F, Fat. Conversion values for protein, carbohydrate and fat are, 4.0, 4.0 and 9.0 respectively. 52 Braide, Sokari and Hart teins, such that risk factors such as exposure to tion Ad Hoc Expert Committee, Published by infections, reduced immune system and death as a FAO and WHO, Switzerland, pp118. result of deficiency of amino acid will be minimized. Gashe, B.A., Mpuchane, S.F., Siame, B. A., Allotey, J. and Teferra, G. 1997, “The microbiology of References phane, an edible caterpillar of the emperor , Imbresia belina”, Journal of Food Protection, 60, Adamolekum, B. 1993, “Epidiomogical studies of 1376- 1380. the etiology of a seasonal Ataxia in Nigeria”, Gelfand, M. 1971, Diet and Tradition in an African Neurobiology, 43, 14-19. Culture, Enstein and Stainer Livingstone Publishers, Allotey, J and Mpuchane, S.F. 2003, “Utilization of Edinburgh, UK, pp116. useful insects as food source”, African Journal of Ivbijaro, M. 1990, “Food insects”, Newsletters, Food Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 3, 3(3), 4 1 - 8. James, C.S. 1995, Analytical Chemistry of Foods, Amadi, E. N., Ogbalu, O. K., Barimalaa, I.S. and Chapman and Hall, New York, USA, pp41-75. Pius, M. 2005, “Microbiology and nutritional Kirk, R. S. and Sawyer, R. 1998, “Pearson’s composition of an edible larva (Bunaea alcinoe. Composition and Analysis of Foods”, 4thed. Stoll) of the Niger Delta. Journal of Food Safety, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, Britain. pp26-28. Anthonio, H.O. and Isoun, M. 1982, Nigerian Motshegwe, S.M., Holmback, J. and Yeboah, S.O. Cookbook. London - Macmillan, pp172. 1998, “General properties and fatty acid AOAC 1995, Official Methods of Analysis, 16th composition of the oil from theMopanecaterpillar, edn. Vol.2 (Arlington; Association of Official Imbresia belina”, Journal of American Oil Analytical Chemist International). pp 56-58 Chemists Society, 75, 725-728. AOAC 2000, Official Methods of Analysis, 17thedn. Ogbalu, O.K. 2003, Monarchs of the Niger Delta, Association of Official Analytical Chemist 1st ed, Sebast Publishers Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria. International,Gaithersbugh Maryland, USA, pp 64- pp25-28 67 Oliveira, J.F.S., Carvalho, S.J.P., Sousa, R.F.X. and Chang, S.K. 2003, Protein Analysis in Food Sinao, M.M. 1976, “The nutritional value of four Analysis, 3rd edn. Kluwer Academic Plenum species of insects consumed in Angola”, Ecology Publishers. New York, USA, pp134-135. Food and Nutrition, 5, 91-97. DeFoliart, G.R. 1975, “Insects as a sourse of Pharithi, M.T., Suping, S.M. and Yeboah, S.O. protein”, Bullettins of the Entomological Society 2004, “Variations of fatty acid composition in the of America., 21, 161-163. oil from the larval stages of the emperor moth DeFoliart, G.R. 1989, “The human use of insects as caterpillar, Imbresia belina”, Bullettin Chemical Food and animal Feeds”, Bullettins of the Society of Ethiopia, 18, 67-72. Entomological Society of America, 35, 22 - 35. Quin, J.P. 1959, “Foods and the Feeding Habits of DeFoliart, G.R. 2002, “The Human Use of Insects the Pedi”, Witwatertrand University Press, pp278. as Food Resources: A bibliographic account in Sekhwela, M.B.M. 1989, “The nutritive value of progress”, Central and Eastern Africa overview mophane bread-mophane insects’ secretion”, 105p. Botswana Notes and Records, 20, 151-154. Delvin, T.M. 2006, Text Book of Biochemistry with Siame, B.A., Mpuchane, S.F. and Gashe, B.A. Clinical Correlations, 6th edn. Wiley- Liss. A John 1996, “Nutritional quality of Mopane worm Wiley and Son’s Inc., Publication, Canada, (Imbresia belina Westwood) and the microorga- pp743- 789. nisms associated with the worms”, In: Phane, Fasoranti, J.O. and Ajiboye, D.O. 1993, “Some Proceeding of First Multi-Disciplinary edible insects in Kwara State Nigeria”, American Symposium on Phane. Department of Biological Entomologist 39, 113-116. Sciences, University of Botswana, pp80-83. FAO/WHO 1973, Energy and Protein Sparkman, D.H., Stein, E.H. and Moore, S. 1958, Requirements. Report of a joint Food and “Automatic recording apparatus for use in the Agriculture Organization / World Health Organiza- chromatography of amino acids”, Analytical Nutritional Quality of an Edible Caterpillar of a Lepidopteran Bunaea alcinoe 53

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