Harnessing the nutritional composition and dietary-health potential of edible insects: a case study of giant longhorn beetle larvae (Tithoes confinis) in Morogoro rural district, Eastern Tanzania

Abstract

Insects are increasingly explored as alternative nutrient sources, offering sustainable solutions to enhance food security and dietary diversity in developing regions. The present study aimed to evaluate the proximate composition, mineral profile, and vitamin content of Giant Longhorn Beetle larvae (Tithoes confinis) from Morogoro Rural District, Eastern Tanzania. Results showed that the T. confinis larvae contained crude protein (44.00?±?1.80%), crude fibre (0.90?±?0.52%), crude fat (22.90?±?0.95%), and nitrogen-free extract (25.30?±?1.10%). Mineral analysis revealed high calcium (225?±?0.59?mg/100?g; 65.5%) and magnesium (54.9?±?0.15?mg/100?g; 16.0%), with notable levels of iron (21.4?±?0.76?mg/100?g), zinc (17.3?±?0.05?mg/100?g), potassium (10.7?±?0.08?mg/100?g), sodium (8.72?±?0.15?mg/100?g), and phosphorus (5.52?±?0.12?mg/100?g). Vitamins included vitamin C (342?±?39.65?mg/100?g; 75.6%), vitamin B6 (82.6?±?4.74?mg/100?g; 18.2%), vitamin A (18.9?±?1.08?mg/100?g; 4.18%), vitamin E (5.59?±?0.14?mg/100?g; 1.24%), and vitamin B3 (3.34?±?0.09?mg/100?g; 0.74%). These findings suggest that T. confinis larvae are nutrient-rich and could serve as valuable dietary supplements to enhance food and nutrition security.