Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Thounaojam Sheileja, Tourangbam Shantibala and K Mamocha Singh

Abstract:
The bamboo worm, Omphisa fuscidentalis is commonly used as delicious food by different ethnic communities of Northeast India, especially in Manipur. The nutritional and ant nutritional aspects of O. fuscidentalis revealed high protein (30.5%) and lipid (43.1%) content. A total energy of available carbohydrates, protein, and fat was provided about 526.6 kcal/100 g of energy. Out of the micro-nutrient compositions, potassium and calcium are the most prominent minerals observed in the larva which can be used as supplementary food to human diets. IC₅₀ % of 373.17 μg/ml indicate higher than the standard value of ascorbic acid. Low values of ant nutritional elements like phenol (53.0 mg/100g) and tannin (62.0 mg/100g) content showed non-toxic. The insect can be cultured in captive using commonly available bamboo host plant. The edible insects provide economic support, nutritive values, food security and environment management.