Nutrient composition of four species of winged termites consumed in western Kenya

TY - JOUR

T1 - Nutrient composition of four species of winged termites consumed in western Kenya

AU - Kinyuru, J N

AU - Konyole, S O

AU - Roos, Nanna

AU - Onyango, C A

AU - Owino, V O

AU - Owuor, B O

AU - Estambale, B B

AU - Friis, Henrik

AU - Aagaard-Hansen, Jens

AU - Kenji, G M

N1 - CURIS 2013 NEXS 277

PY - 2013/6

Y1 - 2013/6

N2 - The objective of this study was to gain knowledge on the nutrient composition of Macrotermes subhylanus, Pseudacanthotermes militaris, Macrotermes bellicosus and P. spiniger termite species, which are consumed in western Kenya. Proximate, iron, zinc, calcium and fatty acid composition were analyzed in order to ascertain their potential in food-based strategies to improve nutritional health. The fat content was 44.82-47.31. g/100. g, protein 33.51-39.74. g/100. g, available carbohydrate 0.72-8.73. g/100. g, iron 53.33-115.97. mg/100. g and zinc 7.10-12.86. mg/100. g. The level of unsaturated fatty acids was 50.54-67.83%, while n-6:n-3 ratio ranged between 5.80:1.00 and 57.70:1.00, thus signifying potential nutritional and public health significance. The termites may be exploited in provision of high-quality diets especially in the developing countries, which have been plagued by iron and zinc deficiencies as well as poor supply of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid sources.

AB - The objective of this study was to gain knowledge on the nutrient composition of Macrotermes subhylanus, Pseudacanthotermes militaris, Macrotermes bellicosus and P. spiniger termite species, which are consumed in western Kenya. Proximate, iron, zinc, calcium and fatty acid composition were analyzed in order to ascertain their potential in food-based strategies to improve nutritional health. The fat content was 44.82-47.31. g/100. g, protein 33.51-39.74. g/100. g, available carbohydrate 0.72-8.73. g/100. g, iron 53.33-115.97. mg/100. g and zinc 7.10-12.86. mg/100. g. The level of unsaturated fatty acids was 50.54-67.83%, while n-6:n-3 ratio ranged between 5.80:1.00 and 57.70:1.00, thus signifying potential nutritional and public health significance. The termites may be exploited in provision of high-quality diets especially in the developing countries, which have been plagued by iron and zinc deficiencies as well as poor supply of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid sources.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84876473817&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jfca.2013.02.008

DO - 10.1016/j.jfca.2013.02.008

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84876473817

SN - 0889-1575

VL - 30

SP - 120

EP - 124

JO - Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

JF - Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

IS - 2

ER -