Nutrient and toxic heavy metal assessment of Tarbinskiellus portentosus and Schizodactylus monstrosus consumed by the Bodo tribe in Assam, India

Abstract

Tarbinskiellus portentosus and Schizodactylus monstrosus are a delicacy among the Bodo tribe of Assam. This study was undertaken to estimate the mineral contents and proximate values and to evaluate the presence of toxic heavy metals in them. Proximate contents were evaluated following the guidelines of Association of the Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and minerals including toxic heavy metals were estimated using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). T. portentosus showed significantly higher fat, carbohydrate and moisture contents whereas S. monstrosus showed significantly higher ash, fibre, protein and nitrogen contents (p ≤ 0.05). T. portentosus showed a significantly higher calorific value of 423.89 ± 2.123 kcal/100 g, whereas S. monstrosus showed a significantly lower value of 410.04 ± 1.103 kcal/100 g (p ≤ 0.05). T. portentosus showed a significantly higher value of 0.008 ppm arsenic, 0.038 ppm lead, and 0.015 ppm cadmium (p ≤ 0.05). S. monstrosus on the other hand showed significantly lower values of 0.002 ppm arsenic, 0.008 ppm lead, and 0.004 ppm cadmium (p ≤ 0.05). Although the insects are rich in nutrients and minerals, presence of toxic heavy elements indicate environmental contamination and hence, their consumption should be done with caution or avoided.