Mineral analysis reveals extreme manganese concentrations in wild harvested and commercially available edible termites
Journal article, 2020
Termites are widely used as a food resource, particularly in Africa and Asia. Markets for insects as food are also expanding worldwide. To inform the development of insect-based foods, we analysed selected minerals (Fe-Mn-Zn-Cu-Mg) in wild-harvested and commercially available termites. Mineral values were compared to selected commercially available insects. Alate termites, of the genera Macrotermes and Odontotermes, showed remarkably high manganese (Mn) content (292-515 mg/100 gdw), roughly 50-100 times the concentrations detected in other insects. Other mineral elements occur at moderate concentrations in all insects examined. On further examination, the Mn is located primarily in the abdomens of the Macrotermes subhyalinus; with scanning electron microscopy revealing small spherical structures highly enriched for Mn. We identify the fungus comb, of Macrotermes subhyanus, as a potential biological source of the high Mn concentrations. Consuming even small quantities of termite alates could exceed current upper recommended intakes for Mn in both adults and children. Given the widespread use of termites as food, a better understanding the sources, distribution and bio-availability of these high Mn concentrations in termite alates is needed.
Author
Rudi L. Verspoor
University of Liverpool
Murielle Soglo
IITA Research Station
Razack Adeoti
IITA Research Station
Rousseau Djouaka
IITA Research Station
Sam Edwards
University of Liverpool
Rikard Fristedt
Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science
Maud Langton
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Rosana Moriana
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Matthew Osborne
Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)
Catherine L. Parr
University of Witwatersrand
University of Liverpool
University of Pretoria
Kathryn Powell
University of Liverpool
Gregory D.D. Hurst
University of Liverpool
Rikard Landberg
Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science
Scientific Reports
2045-2322 (ISSN) 20452322 (eISSN)
Vol. 10 1 6146Subject Categories
Food Science
Environmental Sciences
Nutrition and Dietetics
DOI
10.1038/s41598-020-63157-7
PubMed
32273555