Sexual Variations in Nutritive Value of Adult Variegated Grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
(Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidac)
ADEMOLU, K.O., SALAMI, S. C ., IYEH, C.I., ALADESIDA, A. A., JODA, A.O.I AND IDOWU, A. B.
Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Nig. J. Entomol. 33: 17-21 (2017)
DOI: 10.36108/NJE/7102/33(0130)
ABSTRACT: The act of eating insects (entomophagy) has been on the increase due to their medicinal and nutritional importance. This study examined the sexual differences in the nutritive value of adult variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus. The proximate composition (crude protein, carbohydrate, fat, crude fibre. and ash), mineral profile (Na, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe2+, vitamin (A, B1, B2‘ and C), anti-nutrient (alkaloid. antraquinone, flavonoid, saponin, and tannin) and heavy metal contents (Cd2+, Cu2+,Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) of 5-day old adult male and female Zonocerus were analysed by standard methods. Female Z. variegatus had significantly higher (t= 0.05) crude protein, ash, fibre and carbohydrate than the male. Anti-nutrients and heavy metal contents of the adult Zonocerus varied from 0.210-8.82% and 0.113-1.264mg/100g, respectively, with the female having higher values. Adult female Z. variegatus is thus more nutritious than the male.
Keywords: Zonocerus variegatus, nutrients, sexual differences, minerals, heavy metals.