Abstract

Bacteria, fungi, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) of dried Grasshopper were evaluated using standard
Microbiological methods and Gas Chromatography mass spectrometry. The aerobic colony count obtained from
all the samples ranged from 2.88 × 106CFU/g to 3.32 ×106CFU/g. The characterized isolates included two species
of bacteria (Bacillus lentus and Bacillus megaterium) and two species of fungi (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus
flavus). Twenty (20) volatile organic compounds were detected in dried grasshopper. The volatile compounds were
mainly methyl ester, organic acids, ethyl ester, and amides. This study suggests that grasshoppers contain nutrients
and useful VOC and some microbes of soil origin suggesting poor hygienic practices in handling it.

Key words: Grasshopper, Bacillus megaterium, Aspergillus flavus, VOC, Proximate Analysis