Macronutrients and mineral composition of wild harvested Prionoplus reticularis edible insect at various development stages: nutritional and mineral safety implications

Abstract

Prionoplus reticularis larvae (‘Huhu grubs’), a traditional food in New Zealand, have been grown commercially. However, no information is available on the composition or safety of the larvae as a food. A proximate analysis (58.7–75.2% moisture, 26.2–30.5% protein, 32.1–58.4% fat, and 1.5–3.2% ash dry weight basis) found that Huhu grubs contain substantial amounts of nutrients. Forty minerals were investigated for four different development stages of wild harvested Huhu grubs (small, medium, and large larvae and pupae). ICP-MS detected 28 minerals, (11 essential, 13 non-essential, and four heavy metals). The most abundant minerals were manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc. The heavy metal content of Huhu grubs was found to be below detection levels for arsenic and vanadium, but cadmium and lead were detectable. The results indicate, on the basis of proximate analysis and mineral content, that moderate consumption of New Zealand wild harvested Huhu is safe and nutritious.