Humic Substances and Mineral Elements Contents of White Grubs and Waste Deposit

Abstract

The humic substances and mineral elements content of white grubs (WG) and waste deposit (WD) were analyzed. WG was found to contain higher amount of fulvic acid (16.05 ± 4.28%) and humic acid (9.50 ± 2.06 %) compared to the respective value of 2.75 ± 0.38% and 4.25 ± 1.05 %. It could be inferred that WG accumulate these humic substances (humic and fulvic acids) from the environmental waste and these probably contribute to medicinal properties of the grubs. The mineral elements Fe, Mn, Na, K, Ca, and Co were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in WG compared to the WD, also indicating possible accumulation by the WG. In general the mineral contents of white grub in terms of relative concentration was found to be in rank of K > Mg > Na > Ca > Mn > Zn > Fe > Cu. These elements were found in appreciable amount to meet nutritional requirements. WG could, therefore, be nutritionally and medically relevant.