In Nigeria, termites are usually
roasted and eaten as food, mostly during the rainy season.
But can termites be the next
therapeutic resource for the treatment of asthma, hoarseness and sinusitis,
wounds, malnutrition, nutrient deficiency, sickness of pregnant women and as a
charm for spiritual protection?
Recent studies suggest that, in
addition to their ecological importance, termites are a source of medicinal and
food resources to various human populations in various locations of the world,
showing their potential for being used as an alternative protein source in
human or livestock diets, as well as a source for new medicines.
Nigerian researchers have determined
the nutrient composition and the toxicant level of the commonly eaten termites
(Macrotermes bellicosus) castes in Niger-Delta region of Nigeria.
Macrotermes bellicosus are known to
the Ibos as Aku; to the Hausa as Khiyea; Esusun in Yoruba; and Ebu in Annang.
The study titled “Evaluation of
Nutritional Value of Termites (Macrotermes
bellicosus): Soldiers, Workers, and Queen in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria” was published in International Journal of Food Nutrition and Safety.
bellicosus): Soldiers, Workers, and Queen in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria” was published in International Journal of Food Nutrition and Safety.
The researchers include: A. I.
Ntukuyoh, D. S. Udiong, E. Ikpe, and A. E. Akpa Kpan of the Department of
Chemistry, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Queen, soldiers and workers of
termites (Macrotermes bellicosus) were
analyzed for proximate composition, vitamin, mineral elements and anti-nutrient content.
analyzed for proximate composition, vitamin, mineral elements and anti-nutrient content.
Proximate composition showed that
crude protein content of the soldiers was higher than those of workers and
Queen. The highest mineral element was sodium in queen, while the least mineral
was manganese in the soldiers. The termites were rich in vitamins A and C.
Workers termites had the highest vitamin C content, while Queen had the highest
vitamin A content. Anti-nutrient compositions in Macrotermes bellicosus were
considerably low.
Macortermes bellicosus constitute a
significant component of diet among the people of the Niger-Delta region in
Nigeria.
A number of insect and their
products are used as food items in some parts of Nigeria and to a large extent
eaten as tit bits or exclusively by children. Insects have played an important
role in the history of human nutrition and it is probable that the first
hominids in African were eating insects. Insects including termites are good
sources of protein with high fat content (and thus energy) and many important
minerals and vitamins.
In assessing the nutritive value or
food value of termites, its anti-nutrient content, mineral element and lipids
characteristics are considered to assess whether termites are nutritive or not.
Phytic acid is one of the important parameter that makes-up anti-nutrients in
living organism and it interfere with utilization of manganese, iron and
calcium. It inhibits the absorption of iron, zinc and calcium, and the
deficiencies of these elements cause Anamia osteomalacia and even rickets.
Phytic acid content of termite
(adult) winged stands out as the only nutritional factor that would contradict
our recommendation for heavy consumption and food fortification of insects.
This is general for most tropical insects including termites and has been
implicated for growth inhibition in day old chicks. In man the surplus
consumption of the inorganic mineral (magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe)
and zinc (Zn) which are sequestered by phytic acid would circumvent the
deficiency anticipated.
Lethal dose of oxalic acid has been
reported as 2.5 g, and a person in western Nigeria may consume 11.6 g of
oxalate, it therefore means that without detoxication, it would not be safe to
consume them due to oxalate toxication.
Termites can be used as food for
non-human primates. Suzuki (1966) described insect eating primarily ants and
termites by wild chimpanzees in cites of Tanzania, and other studies were on
the eating of insects by chimpanzees, Japanese monkeys and baboons. Termites
are eaten in several parts of Nigeria and it is also used for rituals and
medicinal purposes.
In India termites and even its
termitaria have medicinal usages as termites based medicinal companies are
established. In East Africa, termite mounds are considered so important that
they are owned by individual and form part of his inheritance when he dies.
Also, a recent review has shown that
termites are commonly used insects in traditional popular medicine. They are
used in the treatment of various diseases that affect humans, such as
influenza, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, sinusitis, tonsillitis and
hoarseness.
The study titled “Edible and
medicinal termites: a global overview” was published in the Journal of
Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine and BioMed Central.
According to the study,
additionally, these animals have historically been an important source of food
that may contribute to improving human diet, particularly for people who suffer
from malnutrition due to a deficit of protein, as they are considered a
non-conventional food with great economic and social importance. They have been
consumed for generations in many regions of the world, a practice that has
increased in popularity in recent years.
For medicinal purposes, the use of
ten species of termites was recorded. These species are used as an alternative
treatment for physiological and spiritual problems. The species Nasutitermes
macrocephalus was the most frequently recorded, and it is widely used in Brazil
as a therapeutic resource for the treatment of asthma, hoarseness and
sinusitis, among other diseases. Another example is Macrotermes nigeriensis,
which is used in Nigeria in the treatment of wounds, sickness of pregnant women
and as a charm for spiritual protection.
The use of termites as a therapeutic
resource also revealed an important mode of use of these animals. Evidence of
antimicrobial activity of products isolated from these animals has been reported,
such as peptides like espinigerine and termicine, isolated from
Pseudocanthotermes spiniger, which showed antifungal and antibacterial
activities.
SOURCE :.ngrguardiannews
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