title: Nutritional quality, functional properties and anti-nutrient compositions of the larva of Cirina forda (Westwood) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).
abstract: Determination of the proximate, nutritionally valuable minerals and anti-nutrient compositions in larvae of Cirina forda (W) showed that they contained high levels of protein, (55.50%+/-1.20%) with ash, moisture, fat, and carbohydrate levels being (10.26%+/-0.01%), (10.85%+/-0.38%), (4.68%+/-0.01%) and (18.70%+/-0.84%) respectively. Fibre was not detected. Protein solubility was higher in alkaline media than in acidic media while the isoelectric points were pH 4, 6 and 9 indicating that C. forda may be useful in food formulations involving foods like meat products. Phosphorus had the highest value of (215.54+/-0.21) mg/100 g while manganese had the lowest value of (1.14+/-0.10) mg/100 g. Copper, Co, Pb, Cr and Ni were not available. Water absorption capacity was (300%+/-0.15%), oil absorption capacity was (358.44%+/-0.21%) and foaming stability was (3%+/-0.00%). The results of anti-nutritional analysis revealed that oxalate and phytic acid contents were (4.11+/-0.05) mg/100 g and (1.02+/-0.00) mg/100 g respectively and that these values fell within nutritionally accepted values. Tannin was not detected in C. forda. C. forda, a rich source of animal nutrients, usable in human diets and animal feeds formulations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria. topeomoth@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: O T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Omotoso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D007814:Larva / Q000737:chemistry; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000737:chemistry*; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010070:Oxalates / Q000032:analysis*; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D008903:Minerals; D010070:Oxalates; D010833:Phytic Acid