Nutritional Potential of the Caterpillar Imbrasia obscura (Butler, 1878) Consumed in the Kara Region of Togo

Abstract

Lepidopteran larvae, which constitute unconventional food resources in many parts of the world, are consumed by aboriginal populations in Togo without any study being carried out on their nutritional value. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional composition of the caterpillar Imbrasia obscura (Butler, 1878) consumed by populations in the Kara Region of Togo. To this end, 9 I. obscura samples were taken from three localities in this region.  Ash, protein, vitamin and lipid contents were determined using AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) method, and fiber content using the AFNOR (Association française de normalization) method. Minerals were analyzed spectrophotometrically and colorimetrically. The fatty acid composition was determined by chromatography. The result of this research showed that I. obscura contain 10.41 ± 0.33 % moisture, 53.36 ± 0.05 % protein, 14.22 ± 0.62% lipids, 10.67 ± 0.62 % fiber and 1.04 ± 0.54 % carbohydrates. Lipids contain monounsaturated (oleic (30.57 ± 0.03 %) and elaidic (0.46 ± 0.02 %) acids) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic (4.82 ± 0.02 %), α-linolenic (1.872 ± 0.02 %), γ-linolenic (1.57 ± 0.01 %) and arachidonic (2.33 ± 0.01 %) acids). With regard to micronutrient composition, the average mineral content is 10.3 % and varies according to the nature of each mineral. I. obscura also contains variable levels of fat-soluble vitamins (retinol: 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/100g and tocopherol 4.10 ± 0.07 mg/100g) and water-soluble vitamins (thiamine: 1.35 ± 0.16 mg/100g, riboflavin: 2.12 ± 0.11 mg/100g and niacin: 4.10 ± 0.07 mg/100g). These data show the quantitative and qualitative richness of I. obscura in nutrients. This species could therefore contribute to the nutritional balance of consumers and deserves to be given greater prominence on our plates.