Composition and method of production of coconut waste-based semi-artificial diet for laboratory rearing of palm weevils

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a coconut waste-based semi-artificial diet for laboratory rearing of palm weevil larvae and to a method of producing the same. The diet comprises young coconut mesocarp or coconut husk waste, water, all-purpose flour, corn flour, ground dog food, agar, ascorbic acid, and sorbic acid. The method comprises the ordered steps of mixing ground dog food, all-purpose flour, corn flour, sorbic acid, and ascorbic acid as dry ingredients; blending young coconut mesocarp or coconut husk waste with water; dissolving agar in water under heat; combining the dry ingredients and blended coconut material with the dissolved agar; cooking the resulting mixture until a firm diet mixture is formed; pouring the cooked mixture into containers; cooling and hardening the mixture into a solid diet suitable for cutting into portions or cubes; and storing unused diet at 4°C to 12°C.