Comparative analysis on the nutritional values of crayfish and some insects

Abstract

The nutritional value of crayfish and some selected insects based on proximate and amino acid contents was determined. The results showed that crayfish have high moisture. Crayfish (10.33±0.29mg/100g), grub (6.17±0.58 mg/100g) grasshopper (1.83±0.29 mg/100g) winged termite (1.17±0.29 mg/100g). The grasshopper has high ash content (28.17±0.29%). Winged termite has high value of crude lipid (52.0±0.50%). grasshopper has high level of crude fibre (10.40±0.29%). Seventeen amino acids were analysed in the crayfish and three insects with glutamic acid, aspatic acid, arginine and leucine protein, being the predominant amino acids. Iett is concluded that these insects could serve as a good nutritional supplement of balanced diet.