Marketability and Amino Acid Composition of Edible Insects in Zaria and Surrounding Areas, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Main Article Content

Amos Maikano
Muinat Mahmood
Asiya Salmanu Yahuza
Stanley Maikano
Mercy Bunmi Alafiatayo

Abstract

This study investigated the marketability and Amino Acid composition of two species of edible insect in Zaria and its environs. Data collected were from two Local Government Areas of Kaduna State and two major markets were covered for data collection. Kraussaria angulifera (Grasshopper) were more marketed and consumed than Macrotermes natalensis (termites) because of their availability in the ecosystem. Amino acid profiles of edible insects marketed in the study areas was determined. Results was presented in terms of the dispensable and indispensable amino acids that of termites was higher in most of them than that of grasshopper. The total protein composition of termites was 29.12mg/100g Protein, higher than that of grasshopper 18.72mg/100g Protein. In general, edible insects have a high protein contents with a satisfactory Amino Acid (A.A) profiles for humans’ nutrition, when you juxtaposed with conventional animal based foods. Entomophagy is one of the viable alternatives as source of protein in the 21st century.

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How to Cite
Maikano, A., Mahmood, M., Yahuza, A. S., Maikano, S., & Alafiatayo, M. B. (2025). Marketability and Amino Acid Composition of Edible Insects in Zaria and Surrounding Areas, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences Journal of Scientific Innovations , 7(1), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.63561/fnas-jsi.v7i1.1098
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