Abstract

The essential minerals, Cu, Fe, Mg, Co, Zn, Na and K were determined in selected edible insects (Locust, Cricket, Grasshoppers and Termite) using standard analytical method. The result obtained from the study shows that  Cu content ranged from 85.5 ± 3.40 mg/kg; Fe from 390.025 ± 31.61 mg/kg; Mg from 1534.84 ± 85.01 mg/kg; Co from 4.35 ± 0.28 mg/kg; Zn from 208.11 ± 63.90 mg/kg; Na from 223.25 ± 14.32 mg/kg and K from 325.69 ± 7.16 mg/kg respectively. The statistical analysis shows that Cu, Co, Na and K content in the studied insects were significantly different except for Fe, Mg and Zn which shows no significant difference at P ≥ 0.05. From the high essential minerals content obtained from this study, these insects could harnessed as alternative source of these minerals in order to help compliment the nutritional needs of an individual.

Key words: Minerals, edible, insects, locust, grasshoppers, termites.