MICROBIOLOGY AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF AN EDIBLE LARVA (<i>BUNAEA ALCINOE</i> STOLL) OF THE NIGER DELTA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The microbial load and nutritional composition of the Bunaea alcinoe larvae were investigated. The bacterial population of the skin and intestinal content were 8.16 × 10 6 and 5.70 × 10 5 cfu/g while the fungal populations were 2.07 × 10 6 and 1.32 × 10 6 cfu/g, respectively. Twenty bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Staphylococcus , Bacillus , Micrococcus and Acinetobacter were isolated. Staphylococcus aureus occurred on both the skin and intestinal content. The nutritional composition of the larvae revealed high protein (55%) followed by fat (25%). Total available carbohydrate, moisture and ash were 4, 8 and 8%, respectively. The public health implication of the presence of S. aureus is highlighted. B. alcinoe larva is a rich source of protein and can be recommended in the diet of communities where protein is scarce or expensive.