Edible worm or Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Fam. Dryophthoridae is the larva of the red palm beetle found in palm trees, coconut trees or dates treesEdible worm. It is a nutritious food source which is found in the remaining parts of a palm trunk after the removal of starch. It is also called “edible”, mealworm, sago worm, coconut worm, palm tree worm, palm grubs, palmetto grub, palm tree weevil, edible maggot, Asian palm weevil, grugru, grew-grew or sago palm weevil.
Constituents
Edible worms are said to be rich in fatty acids (such as linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid), protein, amino acids (such as aspartic acid, arginine, Isoleucine, alanine, lysine and tyrosine), oil, carbohydrates and minerals like zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus. It also contains dietary fibre, lipids and vitamins (such as B2, B5 and B12).
Preparations
Edible worm can be eaten either raw or fried, roasted, steamed, toasted, barbequed, cooked, battered and deep fried. Sago worms can also be used for preparing stews, soup, sago salad, sago kebabs, sago kabobs, satay sago and sago pudding.
Pharmacological actions and medicinal uses
Some people use the edible worm mainly as an alternative to meat, while some others use it in treating various ailments. Edible worm has been reported to aid digestion, help lower blood sugar, fight microbial infections and help strengthen bone and teeth.The fibre content of edible worm helps to boost metabolism by promoting digestion, thereby reducing the risk of having flatulence and constipation. It is good for diabetics because it is low in sugar and helps to maintain blood sugar level.
Because of its antimicrobial properties, edible worm can help the body fight against some infections caused by microorganisms. Also, the presence of calcium and magnesium makes it important for teeth and bone health as it helps to make them stronger. It also helps to reduce cholesterol levels, while also helping to reduce the risk of other diseases.
Edible worms can have positive effect on gut microbiota, either by their pre-biotic effect or their antimicrobial activity towards pathogens. A study revealed that some polar substances present on the body of both adults and larvae of the red palm weevil help them to offer a protective barrier against microorganisms due to their antimicrobial properties.
Adverse effects
There are no known safety issues from the consumption of “edible”.
Economic uses and potentials
Edible worm is useful in the food, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. It may be processed for its high protein content. Edible worms can serve as animal feeds. They can also be used as bait for catching fish. The content of fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, is useful in the pharmaceutical industry. In Nigeria, 100 pieces of edible worms cost about N15,000. A pack of processed worms costs between $3.95 and $17.25.
Edible worms offer economic opportunities to people in the underdeveloped and developing parts of the world, where the worms are sold for income generation. Since studies already show that the business of edible insects requires little capital investment and time, as well as being easy to master and a fast revenue generator, it should therefore be seriously considered in food security and poverty alleviation strategies in Nigeria.
References
Nwokolo C. (2021). 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Sago Worm. HealthGuide.ng. Retrieved from https://healthguide.ng/health-benefits-sago-worms/ on 29th October, 2023.
By Pharm. Ngozika Okoye MSc, MPH, FPCPharm
(Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency)
Email: ngozikaokoye@yahoo.com
