Studies on the Nutritional Profile of Shea Caterpillars [Cirina butyrospermii, Vuillet (1960)]

Abstract

In order to contribute to achieve food security in the North of Côte d’Ivoire, nutritional value ​​of shea caterpillars was studied. Shea caterpillars were bought, dried on the sun, made into powder and their composition was determined. The nutritional value of shea caterpillar powder was compared to that of casein and fish powder. Then, three isoenergetic and isoproteic diets were formulated and each one was used to feed one of the three homogeneous batches of rats (n=6) constituted during 21 days. Animals were weight every four days and at the end of the experiment, we proceeded to the analysis of hematological parameters and to the plasma dosage of creatinine and urea. Protein content of caterpillar powder (42.64 ± 0.26 g/100gDM) and that of fish powder (46.32±0.03 g/100gDM) were almost equal (p>0.05). Total dry matter ingested and Total proteins ingested by rats fed with diet formulated using shea caterpillar as protein source were lower (p≤0.05) than that obtain when it is casein or fish powder which is used as protein source in diet. However, whatever the diet consumed growth of rats was regular and there was not a significant difference (p>0.05) on hematological parameters, on plasmatic protein concentration, on uremia and on serum creatinine. In view of all the above, shea caterpillars constituted an interesting protein source for human nutrition which should be developed.