Nutrient Composition and Processing of the Variegated Grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.)(Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) for Human Consumption

Grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (L), was processed using five different methods and evaluated for sensory quality, nutrient and mineral composition. Boiling, removal of wings, decapitation, washing, draining, frying or roasting gave acceptable products to tasters. The raw insect, which contains 64.28±0.70% moisture, when processed had values of 61.65±0.20%, 20.73±0.54%, 4.25±0.70%, 1.45±0.02%, 1.25±0.40%, 150ppm, 75.6ppm, 70.3ppm and 33ppm for its crude protein, ether extract, carbohydrate, crude fibre, ash, potassium, magnesium, copper and sodium contents respectively. The insect was however, found to be poor in its iron and calcium contents. Z. variegatus may serve as a non-conventional protein source for human consumption if properly processed.