Nutritional evaluation of the giant grassropper (Zonocerus variegatus) protein and the possible effects of its high dietary fibre on amino acids and mineral bioavailability.

Abstract

The biological value of giant grasshopper protein (Zonocerus variegatus) was evaluated by comparing the weight gained, food efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER) of rats fed standard laboratory chow with that of rats fed giant grasshopper, Soyabean(Glycine max) and crayfish. The effect of high fibre content on utilization of nutrients has also been assessed in rats fed the supplements. Each diet produced a progressive gain in body weight ranging from 32.1 ± 2.0g in rats feeding on control diet to 56.0 ± 2.0g for rats feeding on giant grasshopper. FER ranges between 0.22 in rats fed on laboratory chow to 0.44 in giant grasshopper fed rats while PER ranges between 1.12 in laboratory chow fed rats to 1.90 in rats fed giant grasshopper. Despite the fact that food and protein intake of rats on control and experimental diets were identical, at the end of the 28 day feeding period, the growth rate, FER and PER of giant grasshopper fed rats were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with rats fed on Soyabean(Glycine max), laboratory chow and crayfish supplemented diets, thus suggesting that the giant grasshopper protein was superior in terms of quality and was better utilized. The fiber content in giant grasshopper was 15%, which was thrice the amount present in laboratory chow and one and half times the amount present in crayfish. Plasma levels of total protein, essential amino acids and minerals in rats on different diets were almost identical. This seems to suggest that the high fiber content in giant grasshopper did not seem to affect the bioavailability and levels of these parameters determined in the plasma especially the total protein and minerals. The significant increase in body weight, the high values of FER and PER together with ease of collection(possibility of cultivation) and economic aspect would make giant grasshopper a suitable alternative, digestible and highly nutritive protein and its inclusion in food supplementation would provide good quality protein especially in developing countries. Additionally, giant grasshopper protein may also be included in animal feed formulation.

Effects of Boiled Fish (Silurus glanis, Heterotis niloticus, Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis niloticus) Ingestion on the Growth of Young Male and Female Wistar Albino Rats

“…The studies made on the Sprague-Dawley rats nourished with a mixture of soya dried milk and casein gave similar results for 2 weeks experimental period. Similar results to those of [20] compared with other fish protein were obtained by [22] on the albino rats and [24][25][26][27][28][29] on the Syrian hamsters. Our results also make it possible to suggest that freshwater fish used in the present study could also be without notable effects on the sum of hepatic VLDL+LDL lipoproteins.…”

Biochemical properties of thiaminase, a toxic enzyme in the gut of grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus Linn)

“…Its role in insect metamorphosis has also been established [8]. Hundreds of species of insects have been used as human food [9]. Most people in tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America collect insects for food which has played an important nutritional role [9].…”

“…Hundreds of species of insects have been used as human food [9]. Most people in tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America collect insects for food which has played an important nutritional role [9]. In Africa and the Indians of western North America, the habit is especially well developed among the cultivators of the forest region.…”

“…Most insects are cheap, tasty and a good natural source of protein and minerals. Many species of insects are lower in fat and higher in protein [9,12]. The variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (Linn.)…”

“…(Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae), which has a large dry season population in Southwestern Nigeria is reported eaten in the Akoko area of Ondo State [13]. The insect has also been reported to be widely eaten in Borno State, North eastern Nigeria [9]. Proximate analysis of Z. variegatus revealed that the insect contains high percentage of crude protein (58.0%) with an array of essential amino acids and numerous mineral elements in right proportions [9,14].…”