Virginia Melo-Ruíz

Influence of environmental conditions on insect reproduction and chemical composition of escamoles (Liometopum apiculatum M)

Escamoles, ant eggs (Liometopum apiculatum M), are edible insects consumed in great numbers and appreciated for their sensory characteristics, but not for their nutritional value. In Mexico, they reproduce in arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico and several states (Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo). Samples were gathered to determine reproduction conditions and perform an insect analysis to generate data composition in macronutrients, on dry basis, according to AOAC methods. The obtained data were: proteins: 42.12-50.63%; lipids: 30.27-34.96%; minerals: 6.53-7.85%; fibres: 1.91-2.56%; and soluble carbohydrates: 6.80-18.27%. Entomological material was collected in spring 2014, 3 nests for each zone, all from different altitudes and agroclimatic regions. Samples were representative for the insect supply in the areas studied. Insects are high in proteins and lipids, compared with most of the commonly consumed food, due to their high content of fatty acids; they must be refrigerated for later consumption. Minerals are...

The use of fruit fly infested mamey fruit as human food

The fruits of mamey, Calocarpum mammosum L., are often infested by the Anastrepha ludens L. fruit fly. The wasted fruits cause huge economic losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional value of mamey fruits when infested with larvae, and to propose their consumption. Mamey fruits were collected with and without the larvae in the city of Coatlan del Rio, in Morelos, Mexico. A proximal nutrient analysis of the mamey pulp and A. ludens larvae were conducted. The organoleptic properties of ice cream from the mamey fruits with and without the larvae were tasted by a panel. The results obtained showed that the presence of larvae in the mamey fruits increases their nutritional value and the organoleptic study showed no difference between the clean and the infested products.

Macronutrient Composition of Giant Water Bug (Lethocerus sp.) Edible Insect in Mexico and Thailand

The health benefits of nutrients provided by edible insects are not properly studied, even though insect intake in Latin American and Asia is a cultural tradition since ancient times. Insects from the giant water bug (Belostomidae family) are consumed both in Mexico and Thailand, and are known as “Cucarachon de agua” (Lethocerus americanus) and “Mangda” (Lethocerus indicus), respectively. Raw samples of these insects were collected on 2014 at Xochimilco channels from Mexico and from Warorot night market in Chiang Mai, Thailand to further analyze nutrient composition of samples according to official methods of analysis (AOAC) techniques. The nutrient compositions were as following: proteins 60.12% and 53.11%; lipids 5.72% and 8.15%; minerals 5.46% and 6.75%; fiber 10.95 % and 12.23%; soluble carbohydrates 17.75% and 19.74%, for insects obtained from Mexico and Thailand, respectively. Giant water bug shows differences in nutrient composition. It may be the consequence of differences in the environment where they acquire the nutrients necessary for growth and reproduction. However, giant water bugs are available all year around and are a good source of proteins that could help people to obtain a cheaper source of this important macronutrient.

Nutraceutical Effect of Cuetlas (Arsenura armida C.) Edible Insects as Local Food at Ixcaquixtla, Mexico

Insect’s nutrient composition may provide a good source of macroand micro-nutrients with nutraceutical functions that could help people from semirural areas, such as Ixcaquixtla, located southeast of the Puebla State, Mexico. The aim of this study was to assess macroand micro-nutrients in Cuetlas (Arsenura armada C.) larvae and inform local people about the nutraceutical benefits that those insects could provide. Cuetlas larvae samples were collected from Jonote tree on August, 2014 to analyze minerals and macro-nutrient of raw larvae according to AOAC (1995) techniques. Results showed that Cuetlas larvae contained 56.93% proteins, 14.76% lipids, 2.95% minerals, 2.13% fiber and 23.23% soluble carbohydrates. Cuetlas larvae have a good amount of proteins, essential macromolecules for human life as well as essential fatty acids that are important sources of fuel for brain cells and in particular for cardiac and skeletal muscle, minerals, not determined individually, which are important for metabolism processes, fiber for digestive processes and soluble carbohydrates as energy source.

Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L) Wild Plant Rich in Nutrients

Chia seeds played an important role in different ethnic group’s diet at pre-Hispanic times. Later, it was domesticated due to high demand by the population and nowadays it’s cultivated in several states of Mexico. However, seeds are not part of the Mexican average diet. The aim of this research was to asses Chia seed’s macronutrients and promote consumption among population to decrease malnutrition. Chia seeds were collected at Puebla State (2015) and analyzed according to AOAC [1] methods. Data obtained (g/100 g dry basis) were: proteins 18.51%; lipids 31.33%; minerals 4.45%; fiber 24.45%; soluble carbohydrates 21.38%. Chia seeds absorb water about ten times its weight, is gluten free and contain a good amount of proteins, indispensable for human life. In addition, Chia seeds have a balanced amount of polyunsaturated essential lipids, which are important for brain function, minerals, fiber and soluble carbohydrates. Chia seeds are available all year and are well accepted by all social groups, therefore it could be a good option to improve human health.

Edible insects source of nutrients to improve food security worldwide

There is a very serious nutritional problem worldwide due to foodstuff de ciency affecting low income groups living in rural commu-nities and slum zones at urban cities, however there are many sources of underutilize staple not enough investigated in spite of theirenormous importance for a very large group of people

Determinación de metales pesados en el agua de un canal de Xochimilco (México, D.F.) como proyecto de Servicio Social

En este trabajo se presenta un proyecto de Servicio Social que permite que los alumnos se relacionen e interesen con la problematica de la contaminacion ambiental, en particular la del agua. Se eligio como zona de estudio un canal del lago de Xochimilco, Mexico D.F. Se hace la determinacion de algunos metales pesados (Mn, Cd, Cu y Pb) por Espectrofotometria de Absorcion Atomica. Con este proyecto se logra que los alumnos participantes se interesen por problemas reales de la comunidad y apliquen tecnicas de analisis aprendidas durante la licenciatura, reforzando asi sus conocimientos. Este proyecto de Servicio Social intenta sensibilizar sobre la importancia de la contaminacion del agua y abre la posibilidad de continuar con el estudio para comparar resultados en diferentes periodos.