Evaluation of nutrient quality of a short horned grasshopper, Oxya hyla hyla Serville (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in search of new protein source

Abstract

The demand of protein rich feed stuffs has been escalated with the needs of feeds for aquaculture and live-stock management. Being nutrient rich, grasshoppers may be an alternative to resolve the problem. The present study evaluated nutrients quality in a grasshopper species, Oxya hyla hyla. Results revealed that this species contains about 64% protein, considerable amount of essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. On the other hand, anti-nutritional factors are detected to be negligible. These results suggests for considering O. hyla hyla biomass as an alternative protein rich feed ingredient in the feed of fish and livestock.