Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats

Edible insects have emerged as an inexpensive alternative source of protein for reducing the burden of malnutrition worldwide. However, there is a dearth of evidence on its efficacy, and thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of edible insect consumption on the nutritional status...

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Main Authors: Jessica Ayensu, Christopher Larbie, Reginald Adjetey Annan, Herman Lutterodt, Anthony Edusei, Su Peng Loh, Ernest Amponsah Asiamah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8061365
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author Jessica Ayensu
Christopher Larbie
Reginald Adjetey Annan
Herman Lutterodt
Anthony Edusei
Su Peng Loh
Ernest Amponsah Asiamah
author_facet Jessica Ayensu
Christopher Larbie
Reginald Adjetey Annan
Herman Lutterodt
Anthony Edusei
Su Peng Loh
Ernest Amponsah Asiamah
author_sort Jessica Ayensu
collection DOAJ
description Edible insects have emerged as an inexpensive alternative source of protein for reducing the burden of malnutrition worldwide. However, there is a dearth of evidence on its efficacy, and thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of edible insect consumption on the nutritional status of female Wistar albino rats. The study assessed the subchronic effect of palm weevil larvae (PWL) and orange-fleshed sweet potato- (OFSP-) enriched biscuits (fortified biscuits (FB), plain biscuits (PB), biscuits fortified with PWL (PWB), and biscuits fortified with OFSP only (SPB)) as a model to predict the potential of PWL to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women in Ghana. Twenty-five female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups to receive one of the five feed supplements for 28 days. After which, the effects of treatment on haematological and biochemical parameters including lipid profile were assessed. No significant differences were observed with haematological (Hb) parameters. However, total cholesterol levels of the FB, PB, PWB, and SPB were significantly higher than in the N group. Apart from elevated total cholesterol concentrations, biscuits fortified with PWL had no adverse effects and can be a nutritious snack for maintaining acceptable HB levels.
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publishDate 2020-01-01
publisher Wiley
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series Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
spelling doaj-art-70d42b1b0e6d4e3398e29191f2a71ccc2025-08-20T02:06:46ZengWileyJournal of Nutrition and Metabolism2090-07242090-07322020-01-01202010.1155/2020/80613658061365Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino RatsJessica Ayensu0Christopher Larbie1Reginald Adjetey Annan2Herman Lutterodt3Anthony Edusei4Su Peng Loh5Ernest Amponsah Asiamah6Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaSchool of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Universiti Putra, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Forensic Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaEdible insects have emerged as an inexpensive alternative source of protein for reducing the burden of malnutrition worldwide. However, there is a dearth of evidence on its efficacy, and thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of edible insect consumption on the nutritional status of female Wistar albino rats. The study assessed the subchronic effect of palm weevil larvae (PWL) and orange-fleshed sweet potato- (OFSP-) enriched biscuits (fortified biscuits (FB), plain biscuits (PB), biscuits fortified with PWL (PWB), and biscuits fortified with OFSP only (SPB)) as a model to predict the potential of PWL to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women in Ghana. Twenty-five female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups to receive one of the five feed supplements for 28 days. After which, the effects of treatment on haematological and biochemical parameters including lipid profile were assessed. No significant differences were observed with haematological (Hb) parameters. However, total cholesterol levels of the FB, PB, PWB, and SPB were significantly higher than in the N group. Apart from elevated total cholesterol concentrations, biscuits fortified with PWL had no adverse effects and can be a nutritious snack for maintaining acceptable HB levels.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8061365
spellingShingle Jessica Ayensu
Christopher Larbie
Reginald Adjetey Annan
Herman Lutterodt
Anthony Edusei
Su Peng Loh
Ernest Amponsah Asiamah
Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats
Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
title Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats
title_full Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats
title_fullStr Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats
title_full_unstemmed Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats
title_short Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats
title_sort palm weevil larvae rhynchophorus phoenicis fabricius and orange fleshed sweet potato enriched biscuits improved nutritional status in female wistar albino rats
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8061365
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