Nutritional content of Liometopum apiculatum Mayr larvae (“escamoles”) by vegetation type in north-central Mexico
2018
Cruz-Labana, José Domingo | Crosby-Galván, María Magdalena | Delgado-Alvarado, Adriana | Alcántara-Carbajal, José Luis | Cuca-García, Juan Manuel | Tarango-Arámbula, Luis Antonio
In Mexico the ant Liometopum apiculatum is an important insect nutritionally, economically and ecologically. Their larvae (“escamoles”) contain proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals, the concentrations of which may be related with the type of vegetation where the ant forages. The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of macro and micro nutrients of L. apiculatum larvae collected in three types of vegetation in north-central Mexico. We determined content of moisture, crude protein, total lipids, crude fiber, ash, and nitrogen-free extract. The amino acids were analyzed by cationic Exchange chromatography with acid hydrolysis and fatty acids by gas chromatography and solvent extraction with sodium methoxide. The effect of vegetation type on nutrient content was determined with an ANOVA and Sheffé comparison of means (P < .05). The concentration of amino acids and fatty acids (FA) was analyzed with a Kruskall-Wallis test (P < .05). Significant differences were found in protein, lipids and ash (P < .0001) and moisture content (P < .0036). We identified 17 amino acids, which concentration differed by type of vegetation. There were no significant differences in fatty acids. It is likely that the differences in the concentrations of macronutrients are due to the diversity and differential density of the food components available in each type of vegetation for L. apiculatum, and that the number of types and quantity of amino acids and fatty acids depend on the chemical properties of the liquid secretions the ants obtain by trophobiosis.
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