Nutritional quality of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni Stallings & Turner Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) of maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla Torrey) Nutritional quality of the white worm of the maguey lechuguilla

Resumen

Objective: to evaluate the nutritional quality of white worm larvae (Agathymus remingtoni) of the maguey lechuguilla plant (Agave lechuguilla).
Design/Methodology/Approach: samples of A. remingtoni larvae were collected from the stems and leaves of wild maguey lechuguilla that grows in the hills of the community of San Francisco, Municipality of Epazoyucan, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Proximate analysis was performed and the calcium and phosphorus contents were determined in
larvae samples.
Results: larvae of A. remingtoni had a protein content of 33.69% on a dry basis, and 12.05% on a wet basis. Other results obtained were as follows: ethereal extract 15.97%, dry matter 35.76%, moisture 64.24%, ash 0.82%, crude fiber 0.85%, free nitrogen extract 6.07, calcium 0.40%, and phosphorus 0.56%.
Limitations/Implications: During: in the literature review carried out, no reports were found on the nutritional quality of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni) of maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla).
Findings/Conclusions: Agathymus remingtoni larvae have excellent nutritional content, which makes them an alternative source of protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus for human consumption and livestock feed.