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

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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. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

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