Proximate composition of wild edible insects consumed by the Bodo tribe of Assam, India.

Author(s): Silistina Narzari, Jatin Sarmah*

Abstract

A study was conducted on twenty species of wild edible insects consumed by the Bodo tribe of Assam of Northeast India to know their nutritive value by following standard methods. Total solids, carbohydrates and calorific values were calculated and estimated from the result of proximate analysis of crude fat, crude protein, moisture and ash content. The results indicated that the wild edible insects contain crude protein ranges between (30.25% -84.56%), crude fat (4.01% - 40.65%), moisture (2.91% - 8.87%), ash (0.48% - 7.93%), carbohydrate (1.58% – 47.98%) and total solid (91.13% - 98.6%) on dry weight basis. The study revealed that insects are a rich source of nutrients with highest amount of proteins (84.56%) in Nephila maculata and lowest amount (30.25%) in Ruspoliya Baleyi. This study suggests that entomophagy is a healthy practice and hence it should be encouraged.

Share this article

International Journal of Bioassays is a member of the Publishers International Linking Association, Inc. (PILA), CROSSREF and CROSSMARK (USA). Digital Object Identifier (DOI) will be assigned to all its published content.