Nutrient Composition and Potential Contribution of Winged Termites (Marcrotermes bellicosus Smeathman) to Micronutrient Intake of Consumers in Nigeria
Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology · pp. 1149–1158 · Published 15 Jan 2014
10.9734/BJAST/2014/4420Abstract
Introduction: Edible insects, which are generally abundant, nutrient-dense, marketable, and economically valuable constitute important part of the diet of large population of Nigerians. Roasted Winged termite (Macrotermes bellicosus) is a popular insect relished by people living the traditional lifestyle, especially children, and is eaten as snack. Little is known about the nutritional importance and potential nutrient contribution of this insect. Aim: To determine the nutrient and antinutrient composition of Macrotermes bellicosus as a means of reducing micronutrient malnutrition among the consumers. Methods: Winged termites were collected during their nocturnal swarming and divided into two portions. One portion was used for fresh sample determination and the other portion roasted for ten minutes, de-winged and kept refrigerated inside a plastic container till when needed for analysis. Its proximate, mineral, vitamin and antinutrient composition were determined using official methods of analyses of AOAC, atomic absorption spectrophotometric method, and spectrophotometric methods (vitamins and antinutrients respectively). Results: Roasted Macrotermes bellicosus as consumed contained 4.3g moisture, 36.7g protein, 34.3g fat, 23.2g carbohydrates, 1.2g ash, 96.30mg sodium, 162.50mg potassium, 226.50mg calcium, 358.50mg phosphorus, 1.42mg iron, 3.13mg zinc, 330.42µg retinol equivalent, and yielded 551.2 kcal of energy /100g portion. Level of phytates, oxalates, trypsin inhibitors, saponins and tannins was very low (< 0.3mg/100g portion), and cannot probably cause any health hazard or malabsorption when consumed in large quantities. 100g portion of roasted Macrotermes bellicosus can contribute 24.0% energy, 58.3% protein, 22.7% calcium, 51.2% phosphorus, 20.9% zinc and 33.0% retinol equivalent (vitamin A) and 60.0% of vitamin E to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of adult consumers. Conclusion: Macrotermes bellicosus is a highly nutritious insect, and it can serve as good source of protein, calcium, iron and zinc for its Nigerian consumers.
Cited by 20
Yusuf Olamide Kewuyemi, Hema Kesa, Chiemela Enyinnaya Chinma · Insects · 2020
Tendai Abgirl Makore, Brighton Marimanzi Mvumi, Tonderayi Mathew Matsungo · Discover Food · 2025
Forkwa T. Fombong, John N. Kinyuru · Termites and Sustainable Management · 2018
Adjoua Christiane Eunice Boko, Sika Hortense Blei, Anauma Casimir Koko · Journal of Food Biochemistry · 2024
Beatrice Mofoluwaso Fasogbon · African Edible Insects As Alternative Source of Food, Oil, Protein and Bioactive Components · 2020
Dima Hammoud Mahdi, Jane Hubert, Jean-Hugues Renault · Molecules · 2020
Oladejo Thomas Adepoju · African Edible Insects As Alternative Source of Food, Oil, Protein and Bioactive Components · 2020
Zabentungwa T. Hlongwane, Rob Slotow, Thinandavha C. Munyai · Nutrients · 2020
Robert Musundire, Dianah Ngonyama, Abel Chemura · Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2021
Institut du développement rural, Université NAZI BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, Pousga Salimata, F Sankara · African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development · 2019
Related research
- Evaluation of Serum Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Relation to Clinical Status among Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS in North-West Ethiopia — shares topic coverage
- Quality Evaluation of Ready-To-Eat Garri Made from Cassava Mash and Mango Fruit Mesocarp Blends — shares topic coverage
- Response of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) to Seed Polymerization with Micronutrients and Foliar Spray at Different Growth Stages — shares topic coverage
- Antinutrients and Bioavailability of Nutrients in Maize, Cassava and Soybeans Composite Flour — shares topic coverage
- Assessment of Micronutrients of Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum melongena Fruits Consumed in Burkina Faso — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
0
Page views
0
PDF downloads
0
Outbound clicks
20
Citations
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
No views recorded yet.
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
No traffic recorded yet.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.