Nutritional evaluation of protein from Clanis bilineata (Lepidoptera), an edible insect

Abstract

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. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.