Exploring the Nutritional Potential of Microtermes obesi Consumed by the Ethnic Communities of Baksa District, Assam, India

Abstract

The practice of eating insects is widespread throughout the world. The use of edible insects in animal feed and human diet is being advocated on a universal scale as an alternative source of protein, lipids and micro - nutrients which is correlated with global food security. Termites are nutritionally endowed eusocial insects belonging to the order Isoptera. Microtermes obesi, a termite species has been a part of traditional cuisine among different communities of Assam. Therefore, the present study was assigned to investigate the presence of nutrient composition and antioxidant properties of M. obesi, an edible termite species collected from Baksa district of Assam. In the current investigation, the nutritional values recorded from M. obesi adult comprised of 7.68±0.02% moisture content, 45.15±1.97g/100gm crude protein, 8.40±2.05 g/100gm crude fat, 28.76±1.31 mg/100gm Na, 22.86±2.19 mg/100gm K, 108.36±2.18 mg/100gm Fe, 58.09±1.38 mg/100gm Ca, 20.47±3.15 mg/100gm S, and 132.88±2.15 mg/100gm P. The biochemical contents such as total phenolic, total flavonoid and DPPH radical scavenging activity are recorded as 108.17±2.43 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100g, 58.06±3.26 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100g and 84.90±2.15% respectively. Findings of this study demonstrated the presence of rich nutritional and high antioxidant qualities in M. obesi termite species and also provided scientific validation on the entomophagy practice of M. obesi which can be consumed as alternative source of nutrient in animal feed with potential health benefits.