Termite Mounds Structure Gives Hints on Nutritional Quality of Edible Soldier Termites.
By Prof. Robert Musundire, Nelly G. Gitonga
THEY come in different shapes sizes and occur scattered across the savannah landscapes. Termite mounds play a vital role in natural ecosystems and agro-ecosystems in Zimbabwe. Their presence signify occurrence of a variety of termite species which give rise to their characteristic diversity.
Traditionally in Zimbabwe, termite consumption dates back to many years. Termites are consumed for their nutrition and ease of harvesting, abundance especially during lean periods when vegetables and meat sources are scarce.
In traditional folklore stories, old women possessing charms for attracting good termite harvests were told across rural Zimbabwe. Famous expressions such as “Mbuya Rushwanhu,” referred to old women with great skills of harvesting the termite species Macrotermes natalensis while “Mbuya Bandamukombe” was in reference to those with skills of harvesting the larger species Macrotermes falciger.
Some stories ascribed best harvests to good skill in identification of suitable termite mounts, while others attributed this to wizardry. In all, harvesting soldier termites from termite mounds requires great skill and experience.
Perhaps, some truth has been associated with the skills needed to identify termite mounds. With the plethora and variety that exist in the landscape, several questions about quality and quantity of harvest as well as the safety of insects as food becomes relevant in the modern era where the very experienced old women are no more to pass this tradition to younger generation. More so, as agricultural intensification takes centre stage with alteration of natural ecosystems that are being converted to agro-ecosystems, increase in organic fertilizer and pesticide use present another challenge for safety and nutritional quality of edible termites.
A recent study (January 2021) by scientists at Chinhoyi University of Technology and published in the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science after extensive studies on termite mounds in Bikita district and peri-urban areas of Zimbabwe revealed an exciting relationship between termite mound soil properties and the nutritional quality and safety of edible termites.
Termite mounds with grey colour [1] yielded termites with high zinc content compared to brown [2] and light-gray soils [3] reddish brown [4]. On the other hand mounds with reddish brown [4] colours yielded termites with high iron content compared to other soil colours.
Termite mounts with brown [2] and yellowish-brown [5] colours produced termites that had higher amounts of copper compared to mounds with other soil colours.
Regardless of soil colour, consumers are cautioned to avoid harvesting termites from mounds in heavily polluted areas such as urban dumpsites; mining and industrial areas as this presents the risk of Lead toxicity. Exposure to Lead can cause anaemia, kidney and brain damage while very excessive Lead exposure can cause death. Pregnant mothers are prone as effects are harmful to the nervous system of the unborn baby.
Another exciting observation from this study was that termites extracted from mounds associated with tree species [6] exhibited a bitter taste due to higher levels of phytic acid. In general phytic acid is considered an anti-nutrient as it interferes with absorption and utilisation of manganese, iron and calcium. A deficiency of these elements in humans has been shown to cause Anemia osteomalacia and rickets.
In practical terms, termite mounds in close association with trees can be avoided during harvesting in order to minimise intake of harmful phytic acid.
The highlights of this study indicate that with proper knowledge of termite harvesting combined with guarantees of food safety and tracability of source, edible termites have potential to reduce nutritional deficiences.
Termites compliment other protein rich foods produced through convential agriculture. However, they become more handy in situations where vegetables and farmed animal nutrient sources are scarce due to low production issues such as drought, excessive rains and other climate catastrophees. With good sources of proteins, fats and macronutrients such as zinc, iron, copper and anti-oxidants, certainly edible termites offer good complimentary alternatives to existing food resources in Zimbabwe.
The relative abundance of termites throughout the landscapes can also facilitate industrial applications and innovation in modern food cuisines. Using these naturally abundant food resources will go a long way in supporting increased food and nutritional security in Zimbabwe.
Prof. Robert Musundire, writes in his personal capacity and can be found on
Email: rmusundire@cut.ac.zwPhone: 0778601918
