MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sample Preparation
The scorpion sample was obtained of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State campus. A 100 g lot of the sample was washed in distilled water, oven dried at 105^oC for 3 h, ground, sieved (45 mm), the samples was then stored in an air tight container prior to analysis.

Chemical Analysis
The proximate composition of the sample was determined using the AOAC (1990) methods. Protein was calculated from the total nitrogen using the factor 6.25. The carbohydrate composition was determined by subtracting the sum of the weights of protein, fat, fibre and ash from the total dry matter and presented as nitrogen free extract. Total energy was calculated according to the following equation (Manzi et al., 2001).

Phytate phosphorus (P) and phytate were determined using the method of Young and Greaves (1940) as modified by Abulude (2001). Tannin was determined by the quantitative methods of Markkar and Goodchild (1996). Oxalate was estimated by the method of the AOAC (1990). Mineral were analyzed using the solution obtained by dry ashing the sample and dissolving it in 10% hydrochloric acid and making up to 50 cm³. All metals were determined with a Pye Unicam SP9 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Abulude, 2004).

Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS for windows 10.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 presents the proximate composition of the scorpion sample protein, ash, carbohydrate, fat, moisture and energy (Kcal) ranged as follows. 52.91, 6.86, 5.61, 10.83, 13.97 and 331.55. The results for protein in were generally higher than those reported for millipede (Abulude and Folorunso 2003), cricket (Abulude, 2004a) and termites (Abullude, 2004b). The fat content compared to that of insect (10-18%) (Abeduntan, 2005). Ash, fibre and carbohydrate contents were low, whereas moisture content was high, from the results obtained, the sample produced a high fat content. It is suggested to eat scorpion in a complementary mixture with other types of fat foodstuffs. The low fibre content makes this proteins source a suitable warning food. The results also depicted the potential for its uses as source of good quality feed in livestock production. Energy obtained was 331.55 kcal 100 g^-1 and higher than those obtained for livestock dungs (Abulude et al., 2003). This sample is a good energy source and the energy is derived mainly from fat.

Ca (595.81), Zn (52.23), Cr (3.08), Fe (135.91), Na (533.15), Mg (493.29), Co (2.50) and K (695.21) (Table 2). The calcium content was higher than that in Citrus sinensis and Carica papaya (392-490 mg kg^-1) (Abulude, 2000) but lower than values 601-1,6327 mg kg^-1 recorded for vegetables (Abulude et al., 2005), bush rat and tilapia (2,814 mg kg^-1) (Adeyeye, 1996).

Table 1:	Chemical composition (g 100 g-1) and energy contribution of sample (data are means of duplicate analyses)

Table 2:	Mineral composition (mg kg-1) of sample (data are means of duplicate analyses)

Table 3:	Anti-nutritional composition of sample (data are means of duplicate analyses)

Sodium content was higher than that of Nigerian freshwater fish (Abdullahi, 2000) ranging from 125 to 631 mg kg^-1 and that of variegated grasshopper (Olaofe et al., 1998). The magnesium content was higher than those samples reported in the literatures (Abulude, 2004b; 2000). Zinc, iron, cobalt and chromium produced low values but these were better than those reported for West African edible snails (Adeyeye, 1996) and freshwater fish (Abdullahi, 2000).

Calcium plays important roles in blood clotting, coordination of in organic elements present in the body and balancing of Ca and P. Dietary K has lowered blood pressure in human, which by itself should reduce the risk of stroke, however, some of the protective effect of K appears to extend beyond its ability to lower blood pressure, Zn and Fe too play important role in nutrition, like Fe absorption, the types of food ingested influence Zn absorption. Wardlaw (1999) reported that Zn and Fe are most available from the same food. Individuals with iron deficiency are also at high risk of zinc deficiency. The scorpion contains important minerals, which will meet the recommended minimum daily allowance in conjunction with other foods. The coefficient of variation in percent (CV %) was low and it ranged between 0.53% (Ca) and 3.25% (Cr).

Anti-nutrients of the sample are shown in Table 3. The level of the tannins of the sample was 0.24% with CV (%) of 4.17, which could be considered low. According to Enujiugha and Agbede (2000), tannins usually, form insoluble complexes with proteins, thereby interfering with their bioavailability. It is gratifying to note that the low tannin content observed in this report would not interfere with the protein content of the sample and so consumers would be assured the RDA of protein. The poor palatability generally associated with high tannin diets is ascribed to its astringent property, which is a consequence of its ability to bind with proteins of saliva and mucosal membranes. Aletor (1993) reported that tannin strongly inhibit digestive enzymes and bind protein rich proteins in the saliva. Ruminant’s animals generally have a higher capacity for dietary tannins than the monogastrics.

Phytate P and phytate levels were 2.09 and 7.41 mg kg^-1 with CV (%) of 4.79 and 6.75%, respectively. The results were comparable to levels reported for lupin seeds (Abulude, 2001). Phytate contents very considerably depending on environmental conditions, maturation and processing procedures. Phytate chelates with minerals elements thereby having significant effects on the utilization of the minerals and also therefore with basic residues of proteins. The presence of the phytate contents in this sample may prevent the bioavailability of Ca, Zn, Mg and Fe and protein to animals and humans. It is advisable to subject this sample to different processing methods so as to reduce or eliminate the phytate content. In the present investigation, the presence of oxalate (0.72 mg g^-1) has been identified in this sample. Oxalate content in this sample was lower than the values reported by Enujiuha and Agbede (2000) and Amah et al. (2001) for green leafy vegetables and Brachystegia eurycoma respectively. The degree of accumulation of anti-nutritional factors is primarily related to species, species parts and age.

CONCLUSIONS

Scorpion contains nutritional content that can be good source of protein, fat, energy and minerals. The limitation of its utilization is the presence of tannin, phytate and oxalate. It is suggested that this sample should be subjected to processing methods. If scorpion is consumed after proper processing, it could have therapeutic effects towards particular disease in animals and humans.