CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF EDIBLE LARVA OF CIRINA FORDA (WESTWOOD)

Abstract

The nutrient composition of the larva of Cirina forda 
\n(Westwood) was determined. It contained 33.12 ( 0.87 g/100g crude
\nprotein, 9.40 ( 0.16 g/100g crude fibre, 12.24 ( 18 g/ 100g fat, 7.12 (
\n0.32 gl 100g ash, 38.12 ( 0.65 g/ 100g carbohydrate and gross energy
\nvalue of 359 ( 2.83 Kcal/ 100g. The larva is an excellent source of
\nminerals and a 100-g dry sample contained phosphorus (1090mg), zinc
\n(8.6mg) iron (64.0mg) potassium (2130mg) and sodium (210mg). The fatty
\nacid profile of Cirina forda larva is characterized by a very high
\nproportion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid and ( -
\nlinolenic acid (53.8%) which is higher than the percentages found in
\npoultry (23.7%) and fish (30.8%) Mono unsaturated fatty acids content
\nwas 14.6% while saturated fatty acid constituted 31.6%. The dietetic
\nsignificance of the polyunsaturated saturated fatty acid ratio of 1.7:1
\nand the high potassium and low sodium content of Cirina forda larva is
\ndiscussed.