01883nas a2200193   4500008004100000020001400041245011000055210006900165260001500234300000800249490000700257520124300264653002701507100002401534700002201558700002001580700002701600856006201627       2011                        eng d  a1536-244200aChemical evaluation of African palm weevil, Rhychophorus Rhynchophorus phoenicis, larvae as a food source0 aChemical evaluation of African palm weevil Rhychophorus Rhynchop  c4 November  a1-60 v113 aThe chemical properties of the African palm weevil, Rhychophorus phoenicis (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), larvae were evaluated using standard methodology. The chloroform-methanol extract yielded 37.12% on a dry basis. The oil was liquid at room temperature with a flash point of 36.0 [degrees]C. Analysis of the physical constants indicated values of 192.25 Wijs and 427.70 mg KOH/g as iodine and saponification, respectively. Fatty acid analysis of the extracted oil showed the presence of unsaturated fatty acids at low levels. Palmitic acid and stearic acid constituted 35.3 and 60.5% of the oil, respectively. The usual behaviour of the oil at room temperature, irrespective of the level of unsaturation of its constituent fatty acid was noted. The total protein content of the defatted palm weevil larva (dry basis) was estimated at 66.3%. The amino acid values compared favourably to FAO reference protein, except for tryptophan, which was limiting. All the other essential amino acids were adequate. Mineral analysis revealed high levels of potassium (1025 mg/100 g) and phosphorus (685 mg/100 g). The dried and defatted palm weevil lava represents a very good source of protein, and a good complement of essential amino acids.10aRhychophorus phoenicis1 aElemo, Babajide, O.1 aElemo, Gloria, N.1 aMakinde, M., A.1 aErukainure, Ochuko, L.  uhttp://www.insectscience.org/11.146/i1536-2442-11-146.pdf