Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry

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Nutritional Potentials of Rhynchophorus phoenicis (Raphia palm weevil): Implications for Food Security


Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Anambra State University, Uli, Nigeria
2 Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
3 Anambra State University, Uli, Nigeria
4 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
     

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Proximate and chemical analysis were carried out on the Early Larva (EL) and Late Larva (LL) stages of Raphia palm weevil (Rhynchophorus Phoenicis) to ascertain its nutrition potentials. The Late Larva stage had the highest protein content of 10.50% while 9.10% was recorded for early larva stage. All other essential classes of food and amino acids were detected in varying amounts. The values derived for macro elements such as calcium, potassium and iron were (0.28 ± 0.01mg/100g), (455.00 ± 21.00mg/100g) and (6.50 ± 0.40mg/100g) respectively for Early Larva stage; (0.27 ± 0.01mg/100g), (457.50 ± 10.61mg/100g) and (6.00 ± 1.10mg/100g) respectively for Late Larva stage. The results of the mineral contents showed that nutritive contents of Phynchophorus phoenicis at LL stage are higher than EL stage. The study attests that both stages of the insect larva could form a base for food security by providing nutritious food to meet people dietary needs for active and healthy life.


Keywords

Food Security, Phynchophorus phoenicis, Malnutrition, Macro Elements.
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  • Nutritional Potentials of Rhynchophorus phoenicis (Raphia palm weevil): Implications for Food Security

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Authors

A. J. Chinweuba
Department of Chemistry, Anambra State University, Uli, Nigeria
I. E. Otuokere
Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
M. C. Opara
Anambra State University, Uli, Nigeria
G. U. Okafor
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract


Proximate and chemical analysis were carried out on the Early Larva (EL) and Late Larva (LL) stages of Raphia palm weevil (Rhynchophorus Phoenicis) to ascertain its nutrition potentials. The Late Larva stage had the highest protein content of 10.50% while 9.10% was recorded for early larva stage. All other essential classes of food and amino acids were detected in varying amounts. The values derived for macro elements such as calcium, potassium and iron were (0.28 ± 0.01mg/100g), (455.00 ± 21.00mg/100g) and (6.50 ± 0.40mg/100g) respectively for Early Larva stage; (0.27 ± 0.01mg/100g), (457.50 ± 10.61mg/100g) and (6.00 ± 1.10mg/100g) respectively for Late Larva stage. The results of the mineral contents showed that nutritive contents of Phynchophorus phoenicis at LL stage are higher than EL stage. The study attests that both stages of the insect larva could form a base for food security by providing nutritious food to meet people dietary needs for active and healthy life.


Keywords


Food Security, Phynchophorus phoenicis, Malnutrition, Macro Elements.