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

Abstract

The nutrient composition of the larva of Cirina forda (Westwood) was determined. It contained 33.12 ( 0.87 g/100g crude 
protein, 9.40 ( 0.16 g/100g crude fibre, 12.24 ( 18 g/ 100g fat, 7.12 ( 0.32 gl 100g ash, 38.12 ( 0.65 g/ 100g carbohydrate 
and gross energy value of 359 ( 2.83 Kcal/ 100g. The larva is an excellent source of minerals and a 100-g dry sample 
contained phosphorus (1090mg), zinc (8.6mg) iron (64.0mg) potassium (2130mg) and sodium (210mg). The fatty acid profile 
of Cirina forda larva is characterized by a very high proportion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid and ( - 
linolenic acid (53.8%) which is higher than the percentages found in poultry (23.7%) and fish (30.8%) Mono unsaturated 
fatty acids content was 14.6% while saturated fatty acid constituted 31.6%. The dietetic significance of the polyunsaturated 
saturated fatty acid ratio of 1.7:1 and the high potassium and low sodium content of Cirina forda larva is discussed.