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Nutritional evaluation of protein from Clanis bilineata (Lepidoptera), an edible insect
Author(s) -
Xia Zhenqiang,
Wu Shengjun,
Pan Saikun,
Kim Jin Moon
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.4730
Subject(s) - casein , food science , protein quality , dietary protein , nitrogen balance , lepidoptera genitalia , biology , essential amino acid , chemistry , net protein utilization , insect , amino acid , zoology , biochemistry , protein efficiency ratio , body weight , botany , nitrogen , weight gain , endocrinology , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to determine the nutritive quality of protein from Clanis bilineata (CB), an edible insect. RESULTS: The protein content of dried CB was 685.3 g kg −1 and its essential amino acid content was 528.4 g kg −1 , both of which are comparable to those of milk and eggs. Three groups of rats were fed diets containing either casein or CB protein (CBP) as protein source or a protein‐free diet for 10 days. The nutritional parameters measured for the group fed the diet containing CBP showed a positive nitrogen balance of 1.37, a net protein retention of 2.9 and a true digestibility of 95.8%, comparable to those measured for the group fed the casein diet. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that CBP may be a suitable alternative dietary protein source for humans. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry