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Nutrient and anti-nutrient composition of Henicus whellani (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae), an edible ground cricket, in south-eastern Zimbabwe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2014

R. Musundire*
Affiliation:
Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Off Chirundu Road, Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
C.J. Zvidzai
Affiliation:
Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Off Chirundu Road, Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
C. Chidewe
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
B.K. Samende
Affiliation:
Government Analyst Laboratory, PO Box CY 231 Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
F.A. Manditsera
Affiliation:
Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Off Chirundu Road, Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
*
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutritional and phytochemical composition of Henicus whellani Chopard, a seasonally occurring ground-dwelling cricket consumed in south-eastern Zimbabwe. Insects were sampled from four quadrants (approximately 100 m2) in one representative site (approximately 3000 m2) in Bikita District, and were hand-picked or dug out from burrows in a manner similar to traditional insect-harvesting practices. Proximate composition using whole-dried insects and bioactive components using dried pulverized material were analysed using standard procedures. The proportional nutrient composition was 53.6% crude protein, 4.3% fat, 13.4% ash, 10.6% crude fibre, 4.0% carbohydrate and 268.3 kcal/100 g energy. Phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, oxalates, saponins and flavonoids were present in the extracts of insects. The quantities of saponins (53.3 mg/g) and alkaloids (52.3 mg/g) were higher than those of other phytochemicals, with the quantity of tannins (0.168 mg/g) being the lowest. Radical-scavenging capacity determined using di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (or 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) and methanol extracts was 42%, which is lower than those of the standards. This study shows that H. whellani provides potential nutritional benefits in terms of protein, fibre and flavonoid contents. The relatively high ash content compared with that from other edible insects indicates a rich source of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. However, the presence of saponins, oxalates and tannins could be a limitation and requires further studies. There is a need to evaluate the bioaccessibility of the nutrients and the safety of bioactive compounds in relation to human consumption.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2014 

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