Journal Article

Nutritional composition of EdibleTermites (Macrotermis bellicosus) Consumed in Paikoro Local Government, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The proximate composition, amino acid profile and fatty acid composition of Termites (Macrotermis bellicosus) commonly consumed by the indigenous tribes found in Paikoro local Government, Niger state were investigated using known analytical methods. The proximate analysis revealed crude protein to be 20.40 ± 0.2 %, crude fat 36.80 ± 0.3% , moisture 2.82 ± 0.2%,, crude fibre and total carbohydrate of 15.20±0.3 % and 18.8 8 ±0.06% respectively. The insect was found to contain varying proportions of essential and non-essential amino acids with Leu/Ile ratio of 1.68. Also the insect was found to contain varying amounts of myristic, palmitic, Linoleic, stearic and Arachidic fatty acids. The high protein, fat and essential amino acids contents suggests that this specie of termites could serve as an alternative source of protein and other nutritional supplements in human and animal diets

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