Evaluation of Proximate Compositions of Some Edible Insects in Zaria Kaduna State Nigeria

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the proximate compositions of some edible insects in Zaria. Five edible insects were sampled for this study, Crickets (Branchytropes memberanacoeus), Dung beetles (Helicropris angulifera), Termites (Macrotermes nigeriensis), small Grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus) and large Grasshopper (Kraussaria angulifera). Cricket species were recorded to have the highest value for moisture (4.18%) and Ash (11.62%). Big grasshopperhad the highest value for Carbohydrate (34.08%). Termites had the highest percentage of crude protein (58.99%) and crude fiber (7.09%). Proximate composition values obtained for edible insects sampled for this work were all significant(P<0.05) except for Crude Protein. It is therefore recommended that more Termites (Macrotermes nigeriensis) should be consumed for protein and crude fat (lipid) derivation. The lipids content
recorded for termites in this work were higher than those of Chicken (1.5%) and Fish (2.7-5.0%).