Nutrient composition of the Indonesian sago grub (Rhynchophorus bilineatus)

Abstract

The sago grub (Rhynchophorus bilineatus) [Montrouzier, Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae] is a local delicacy in the Papua Province in Indonesia. In this study, the nutrient content of the edible insect was measured using chromatographic and spectrometric methods. The results showed that it contains 10.39 g protein and 17.17 g oil/ 100 g fresh weight. The sago grub meets the FAO/ WHO requirements of 40% essential amino acids and a 0.60 ratio between essential to non-essential amino acids. Its limiting amino acid is methionine + cysteine. The major fatty acids found in the sago grub are palmitic (42%), oleic (45%), and linoleic (3%) acids. Although vitamin E is exclusively produced by photosynthetic organisms, a gram of sago grub oil contains 51 μg vitamin E, which is composed mainly of tocopherols (92%). In contrast with palm oil, the sago grub oil contains δ-tocopherol (0.12 μg/g oil), and a significantly high amount of β-tocopherol (3.85 μg/g oil). It is a source of zinc and magnesium and contains safe levels of heavy metals. Based on these nutritional properties, the Indonesian sago grub can be considered as a good source of nutrients, and its propagation and utilization should be encouraged especially in other areas of Indonesia and maybe in neighboring countries where they are also endemic, and where malnutrition is prevalent. The consumption of edible insects should be considered as a component of dietary diversificationa sustainable way of alleviating the nutritional status of the population.

Nutritional value of insects and ways to manipulate their composition

“…However, when provided with a cadmium free diet, concentrations fell rapidly (Kramarz, 1999). The cadmium concentration in the sago grub was below 10% of the dietary concentration (Köhler et al, 2020) and no evidence of cadmium or zinc accumulation was found in the beetle Neochetina eichhorniae (Jamil and Hussain, 1992).…”

Amino Acid and Carbohydrate Profiles of <i>Rhynchophorus phoenicis</i> (the Larva of Raffia Palm Weevil)

“…In the fight against malnutrition, there are three possible options: fortification, supplementation and dietary diversification. Among the three, dietary diversification is viewed as most sustainable [3]. In promoting this option, the FAO encourages people to utilize indigenous fruits and vegetables to increase the nutrients in their diet.…”

“…The Province is divided into lowlands consisting of sago and mangrove forests, grasslands, and swamps in the coastal areas, and upland areas with primary and secondary forests, and farmed plots. Due to limited agricultural resources in the area, insects, especially grasshoppers, leaf and stick insects, cicadas and large moths and their caterpillars, remain as important protein sources in the people's daily diet [3].…”

Efek tepung ulat sagu (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) terhadap penurunan kadar malondialdehyde (MDA) pada tikus Wistar dengan diet rendah protein

“…Sagu merupakan salah satu pangan lokal sumber karbohidrat dan limbah panen sagu menghasilkan ulat sagu sebagai sumber protein (Nirmala et al, 2017). Penelitian tentang komposisi gizi ulat sagu dari Papua memiliki label protein tinggi yaitu 10,39/100 g, nilai cerna 92%, tinggi kandungan magnesium dan zink, dan tingkat logam berat yang aman (Köhler et al, 2020). Penelitian ulat sagu pada subjek balita sehat di Sulawesi menunjukkan adanya peningkatan berat badan dan tinggi badan setelah intervensi ulat sagu sebanyak 20 g yang diversifikasi pada makanan pendamping air susu ibu (ASI) (Nirmala et al, 2017).…”