A preliminary study on the juvenile stages of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 ( Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae ) and Sphenarium purpurascens Charpentier, 1842 ( Orthoptera : Pyrgomorphidae ) as exploitable nutraceutical resources

Being rich in nutrients insects are potential nutraceutical resources. In the present study, we have selected the 8th instar larval stages of Tenebrio molitor and 5th instar nymphal stages of Sphenarium purpurascens , because these are the most sought after stages in the edible insect market in various states of the Mexican Republic. We have estimated their proximate composition and mineral contents and compared them with red meat and white meat. S. purpurascens has been found to be rich in protein and energy, whereas T. molitor contains maximum amount of fat and energy that are even better than that of red and white meat. Both of them also contain higher amount of minerals compared to red and white meat. It has been further observed that only 500g of insect flour can provide almost all the minerals in question, whereas the same amount of red and white meat can provide merely three of them. Thus, insects should be exploited as a source of nutraceuticals, more in depth study is necessary in this aspect though.