Edible insects represent a viable option to address the current need for nutritious, safe, and eco-friendly foods. People native to the Amazon region have a long-standing tradition of consuming edible insects that are relatively unknown elsewhere. This research aimed to characterize the chemical, nutritional, and microbiological composition of the edible larva of the palm weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (chontacuro) from the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador. The larvae proved to be rich in lipids (∼50 %), proteins (∼20 %), fiber (∼6 %), and oleic acid, one of their predominant fatty acids along with palmitic acid. The larvae are also rich in vitamins (B6, B9, A, and E) and are a source of β-carotene, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. No evidence of toxic elements (metals) or pathogenic microorganisms was observed. In general, chontacuro larvae proved to be a safe and nutritious food, managing to fully or partially cover several of the Dietary Reference Intakes for several nutrients.

Nutritional, functional, and safety characterization of the edible larva of the South American palm weevil (chontacuro) Rhynchophorus palmarum L. from Amazonian Ecuador / Chimbo-Gándara, Luis F.; Granda-Albuja, Genoveva; Mora, José R.; Llumiquinga, Erika; Ruiz-Uriguen, Melany; Machado, António; Cisneros-Heredia, Diego F.; Abreu-Naranjo, Reinier; Giampieri, Francesca; Tejera, Eduardo; Álvarez-Suárez, José M.. - In: JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS. - ISSN 0889-1575. - 134:(2024). [10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106507]

Nutritional, functional, and safety characterization of the edible larva of the South American palm weevil (chontacuro) Rhynchophorus palmarum L. from Amazonian Ecuador

Giampieri, Francesca;
2024-01-01

Abstract

Edible insects represent a viable option to address the current need for nutritious, safe, and eco-friendly foods. People native to the Amazon region have a long-standing tradition of consuming edible insects that are relatively unknown elsewhere. This research aimed to characterize the chemical, nutritional, and microbiological composition of the edible larva of the palm weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (chontacuro) from the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador. The larvae proved to be rich in lipids (∼50 %), proteins (∼20 %), fiber (∼6 %), and oleic acid, one of their predominant fatty acids along with palmitic acid. The larvae are also rich in vitamins (B6, B9, A, and E) and are a source of β-carotene, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. No evidence of toxic elements (metals) or pathogenic microorganisms was observed. In general, chontacuro larvae proved to be a safe and nutritious food, managing to fully or partially cover several of the Dietary Reference Intakes for several nutrients.
2024
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Chimbo-Gandara_Nutritional-functional-safety-characterization_2024.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza d'uso: Tutti i diritti riservati
Dimensione 3.18 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.18 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11566/333057
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
social impact