THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF RHINOCEROS BEETLE LARVAE ON THE GROWTH OF ALBINO RATS.

[attachment=18135]

1.1. INTRODUCTION
Insect (from latin Insectum, a calgue of greek are class with the arthropods that have a Chintinous exoskeleton, a three part body ( head, thorax and abdomen, three pair of jointed legs, compound eyes and two antenna.
They are among the most diverse group of animal on the planet and include more than a million described species and represent more than half of all known living organism. Insect may be found in nearly all environments; although only a small number of species occur in the oceans a habitat dominated by another arthropod group the crustaceous. (en. Wikipediawiki/insect)


1.1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this research is to investigate the nutritional effect of rhinocerus on the growth of Albino rats.
In order to achieve this aim, the following procedure will be follow
1. Identification and collection of edible rhinoceros larvae.
2. Proximate and mineral analysis of its nutritional composition.
3. Formulation of the Rhinocerus into pellet, for feeding rats.
4. Evaluating its effect in the growth of albino rat.

1.2. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The protein energy malnutrition (PEM) contributes to more than 50% of the deaths of children under five years all over the developing countries. As long as protein energy malnutrition prevails in developing countries, the search for low cost nutritious and easy to prepare locally available complementary foods will continue.

1.3. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this research will be to look at the value of edible insects as a source of food to man and animals, as a supplement in human diet, the nutritive value attached to it and also to evaluate nutritional composition of selected insects.


2.2. NUTRITION
Nutritionally, insects are high in protein, fat (and energy) and many of the important vitamin and minerals. They have served as traditional foods in most cultures of non-European origin and have played an important role in the history of human nutrition not only in western north America, but in Africa, Asia and Latin America as might be expected from our European cultural heritage some early American Indian. It is interesting, though, that so often as blown by these cross cultural encounter relative to food seamed dominated by feeding of natural tolerance, amosity and respect and were described with a sense of humor. (the food insect, New letter vol vii No 3, Gener Defoliart Ph.D editor 1989).



CARBOHYDRATE
Carbohydrate is made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, carbohydrate provide energy required by animals for their daily activity. It also provides heat, during its oxidation. It is used in the body to maintain the body temperature. However, based on 2,000 calories a day far and children over four years, the daily required value (DRV) of carbohydrate is 300g (Paula Kurtz Weil 2003).
2.4 MINERALS
Mineral are essential for building the body and for the maintenance of health. The body requires minerals obtained in food. Minerals are essential substances that are needed for survival of an organism.