Assessment of nutritional qualities of palm weevil larvae from Elaeis guineensis

This study was carried out to assess the nutritional qualities of the larva of Rhynchophorus phoenicis collected from rot oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) and Raphia palm trees (Raphia farinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl.) at Amukpee, Delta State, Nigeria. Samples of fresh Rhynchophorus phoenicis larvae collected at different locations in the study area were subjected to analysis for their nutritional mineral qualities using standard laboratory methods. The results showed that variations occurred in composition of nutrient, proximate and mineral compositions of the different samples. R. Phoenicis obtained from raphia palm and oil palm trees recorded higher values of moisture contents in fresh samples with 52.21% and 50.10% respectively. Dry matter composition also recorded higher values in fresh samples of both palm species. From the results, no significant difference (P> 0.05) was spotted in vitamin A and C of R. Phoenicis across the different palm trees with higher values recorded in fresh samples accordingly. Vitamin C results obtained from raphia palm tree samples recorded statistically higher value of 3.23ppm for fresh compared to 2.4ppm recorded for oil palm tree species. The mineral composition varied in the different palm trees. The composition of copper showed that oil palm tree samples recorded higher value of 0.95ppm, 0.87ppm and 0.69ppm for roasted, dried and fresh samples. Also, phosphorus composition obtained from raphia palm tree samples recorded higher values of 5.66ppm, 4.84ppm and 4.34ppm of phosphorus for roasted, dried and fresh samples. Considering the nutritional values of these oil palm weevils, the consumption of these larvae should be incorporated into our daily meal as complementary cheap diet in our society.