THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE FATTY ACIDS OF CHONTACURO Rhynchophorus palmarum L.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the nutritional value, as well as to identify types of fatty acids that come from chontacuro’s fat of the species Rhynchophorus palmarum L. which were collected at the markets of the Puyo city of Pastaza province, where Plátanos and Mariscal markets have most of them. It was also considered the type of palm from which chontacuros come, it was found that the chonta and morete palm are the most common. In order to determine the nutritional composition of chontacuros, physicochemical parameters of moisture, ash, fat and proteins were analyzed using the official methods of AOAC International, while INEN standards were used to determine the cholesterol and sodium content. In the identification of fatty acids, methylation of fatty acid esters was performed with the official AOCS Ce 2-66 method and the lipid profile was obtained by gas chromatography. As a result, the nutritional value of chontacuros had 18 % protein, 35 % fat, 1 % carbohydrate, 2 % sodium and 11 % cholesterol, and for fatty acids it was found to have unsaturated fatty acids such as omega 6 and 9.