Introduction

Insects are consumed as food in many countries around the world. Much of this consumption derives from cultural traditions of entomophagy, particularly in Africa, south-east Asia, and central America1,2. Marketing and export of edible insects can also provide an important source of revenue (e.g.3) and the use of insects as food is expanding into countries beyond those where use is traditional. As a result, edible insects now attract global attention in research, media and commercial sectors; particularly with respect to their contribution to food security and sustainability4,5.

The expanding market of edible insects creates challenges in terms of regulation and quality control6. Novel edible insects are reaching new markets, bringing unique obstacles for value chain regulation; for example accurate identification of species. Specific factors, such as wild harvesting and rural processing bring additional difficulties when trying to establish and maintain the quality of insect foods6,7; for example, the accumulation of heavy metals8,9. However, the extent and source of variations in mineral content within and between species remains largely unknown. This knowledge gap is important, as nutritional information underpins food safety standards and is vital for decision making when novel foods are entering markets, for example in the European Union10.

Termites, in particular winged termites (henceforth referred to as ‘alates’), are widely consumed in quantity as food across Africa, America and Asia1,11,12 when they emerge en masse during the rainy season. Worldwide it is reported that 43 species are used as either human or livestock feed, with some species, particularly those from the genus Macrotermes, most commonly used as human food12. A number of studies on alates as food have highlighted their nutritional value and potential contribution to food security, both in raw and processed form13,14,15,due to the high protein and fat content of these insects16,17. Alates are also available in local and international markets, which provides local income and contributes to economic development16,17,18. In contrast to many farmed insects, alates are wild harvested, which could result in greater differences between collections due to variation in diets, the species collected, and the local conditions. In some insects, including edible species, accumulation of minerals to toxic levels has been associated with environmental contamination8,9,19. In addition, there is a startling variation in trace minerals concentrations reported in studies examining alates (Table 1). Establishing consistent estimates of mineral concentrations in alates is critical when assessing their potential benefit and informing their potential marketability20,21.

Table 1 Example of highest and lowest reports of mineral contents for termites of the genus Macrotermes.
Full size table

We examine the content of five trace minerals (Fe-Mn-Zn-Cu-Mg) in a selection of alates from Benin and South Africa, where termites are commonly consumed as human food. We compare these concentrations of trace minerals to commercially available insects, including alate termites.

Methods

Insect material used for analysis

Field collection of edible termites

Alates of Macrotermes subhyalinus were collected from north-west Benin, where Macrotermes termites are consumed as food22. Termites were identified to species using classical taxonomy of termite soldiers collected from mounds in the area. Fungus comb, mound soil, and termite soldiers were also collected using a hoe from a subset of the mounds visited in the area around Tanguieta. The samples were collected by hand around lights at dusk into a basin of clean water, between May and August 2017 and 2018. The locations were within a 10 km radius of Tanguieta, Atakora department, Benin (Fig. 1Ai; Table S1). Samples therefore constitute a combination of alate termites from multiple mounds in a given area. We also collected samples of the large tobacco cricket (Brachytrupes membranaceus) from the same region in north-west Benin, by digging them out from their burrows using a hoe, to provide a second local edible insect species. Two further samples of alates were also collected from additional sites at Parakou (Borgou department, Benin), and from near Acornhoek (Mpumalanga, South Africa; Fig. 1A). In both these sampling locations termites are by communities. All samples were rinsed with clean bottled water after collection to remove any mud or dust. Termites were then briefly sun-dried to remove external moisture and to assist with wing removal, a treatment that is traditional in Benin. Following wing removal then stored in food-grade storage containers at −20 °C or below until mineral analysis. For samples collected from South Africa, de-winged termites were oven dried at 60° overnight to allow for further transport at room temperature.

Figure 1
figure 1

(A) (i) The locations of broader geographic sampling (ii) The sampling sites of Macrotermes spp. Alates within Benin and (iii) The zone in which more intensive sampling of Macrotermes spp. alates was carried out. (B) An image of alate termites just after collection prior to de-winging. (C) An image of a de-winged Macrotermes subhyalinus alates.

Full size image

Commercial insect types used

A selection of dried, processed edible insects were purchased from a supplier in the UK to provide a product comparison for the wild harvested termites (Table S1). The commercial insects included both farmed insects and wild-harvested insects (including one sample of alate termites), multiple insect orders, and many widely consumed insect species. In particular, analysing commercially available alate termite and leaf-cutter ant queens provided a suitable reference comparison for our termites, and more widely to insects that use fungus farming for food. Single packets of each insect type were purchased and tested. To confirm the identity of the species being examined insects were barcoded23.

Extraction and measurement of trace minerals

Sample transport and analysis

All mineral analysis was conducted at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg unless stated otherwise. All termite samples from Benin were stored and transported fresh at −20 °C. Samples collected from Acornhuek in South Africa were dried and transported at room temperature. All commercial insects are delivered pre-dried and were then frozen and transported at −80 °C to Sweden from the UK. Upon arrival in Sweden all samples were stored at −80 °C.

Moisture and total ash content for termite samples

Four replicates of fresh termites from north-west Benin were measured for total moisture and total ash content. To this end, 50 g of termites (de-winged) were freeze dried for a period of 72 hours. This was not possible to do with the South Africa termite samples or the commercial insect samples as they arrived pre-dried. Total ash content was then determined according to AOAC Official Method 942.05.

Extraction of minerals from insect material

The fresh termite samples collected from Benin were freeze-dried before mineral extraction. After drying, for all insects between 25 and 100 individuals were homogenised in a food grinder in order to obtain 2 g of ground insect material. In total, 150–300 mg of sample was then used for mineral extraction. Microwave assisted acid digestion was performed in reinforced Teflon tubes using 3 ml milliQ H20, 750 µl nitric acid and 150 µl HCl (Fisher Chemical, Sweden). Samples were ramped to 180 °C, held at 180 °C for 30 minutes, and left to cool to room temperature. Following extraction all mineral samples were made up to 10 ml with milliQ water and stored for further dilution and quantification.

Quantification of trace minerals

Minerals (Fe-Mn-Zn-Cu-Mg) were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy on an Agilent Technologies 200 Series AA 240FS AA with an UltrAA Boosted Lamp Supply with Agilent hollow cathode lamps. An average was calculated from triplicate repeat measures of absorption area (2.5 second time period, 6 second pre-read delay). Lamp position was optimised manually prior to each run. Dilutions of standards were prepared and used to calibrate biological samples, as advised for the Agilent AAS 200 series per operating protocol.

The discovery of unexpectedly high manganese (Mn) content in termites led to two further analyses of Mn concentrations in alates from north-west Benin. Mn was examined using two additional independent methods. Mn was examined using ion chromatography24 and also independently validated by the National Food Agency in Sweden using ICP-MS, who additionally assayed lead, aluminium, molybdenum and cadmium concentrations. Six termite samples were analyzed for Mn along with Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd and Pb by an accredited ICP-MS method at the National Food Agency in Uppsala Sweden. Samples were microwave extracted using nitric acid and hydrochloric acid at 200 °C. The method used was based on NMKL method nr 186 and EN 15763:2009. Due to high concentrations of Mn in the samples, dilutions were necessary and therefore several metals were not quantified by accreditation.

To test for potential sources of the high Mn concentrations in alates, Mn content in soil samples from Macrotermes mounds and fungus comb samples from within mounds were also examined using the atomic absorption spectroscopy (three biological replicates respectively).

Distribution of trace minerals in termites

Termite samples were mounted on carbon stubs for examination in a HITACHI TM-1000 Scanning Electron Microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) detector (Oxford Instruments). EDX detector specifically detect major elements (above the atomic number of Na) placed in a specific area of the SEM picture. The distribution of the Mn in the integument was assessed by examination of the whole termite. The termites were further dissected to evaluate the distribution of the minerals in the interior of the thorax and abdomen.

Statistics

The concentrations of Mn were compared: alates against soldiers, abdomens vs cephalothoraxes, and mound soil versus fungus comb using t-tests after log transformation of data. Calculations were performed in R25. All values for commercial insects are reported in mg/100gDM (dry matter) as commercial insects were delivered pre-dried.. We also report our values for alates from north-west Benin in mg/100gfw (fresh weight).

Results

Mineral contents found in wild-harvested and commercial insects

Alates collected from Benin contained 52.5% ± 1.2SE water of which 3.65% ± 0.27SE was ash. There was considerable variation between different insects for all minerals examined (Table 2). The most striking result was the high Mn content found in alates. Alates from Benin, South Africa, and commercial alates purchased online all had extremely high concentrations of Mn (271–515 mg Mn/100gdw). These concentrations are around 100 fold more than we found in other commercial insects, (range: 0.5–3.9 mg Mn/100gdw). Both the secondary ion-chromatography testing for Mn concentrations (388 mg Mn/100gdw) and the independent ICP-MS evaluation (489 mg Mn/100gdw) confirmed the high Mn content in north-west Benin alates (Table S2). Other heavy metal values (Mb-Cd-Pb) were either at very low levels or below the detectable range (Table S2).

Table 2 The quantities of five minerals found in different insect species.
Full size table

Particularly high concentrations of magnesium were found in two commercial insects, mealworms and silkworm pupae (244.6 and 305.5 mg Mg/100gdw respectively), which is approximately 3–5 times the concentrations measured in the other insects. Also of note were the relatively high concentrations of iron found in the water scorpions, the large tobacco cricket, and mopane worms (33.4, 65.7 and 54.5 mg Fe/100gdw respectively), approximately 2–3 times the concentrations measured in the other insects. The locust, house cricket and large tobacco cricket showed the highest quantities of zinc, and termites and water scorpions the lowest (Table 2).

Potential sources of manganese levels in termites

To explore the origin of the high Mn in termites, we first compared soldier and alate castes of M. subhylanus from north-west Benin. Termite soldiers contained significantly lower Mn concentrations (14.6 mg Mn/100gdw) than were detected in the alates (422.2 mg Mn/100gdw) (t = 30.3 df = 4.4 P < 0.01; Table 3). Soldier termites did however, still show slightly higher Mn concentrations than other commercial insects. To establish if the Mn was anatomically localised and could be reduced by processing (for example beheading of alates prior to consumption) we examined whether heads and bodies of M. subhylanus differed in Mn content. Termite heads had significantly lower Mn concentrations than the abdomen material (t = 27.2 df = 3.3 p < 0.01; Table 3), with about 200 times the concentration of Mn found in the abdomen compared to the head.

Table 3 The quantities of manganese found in different termite castes (soldiers and alates), different parts of alate anatomy (cephalothorax or abdomens only), and two components of the termite mound (external soil and comb from the fungus gallery).
Full size table

Further comparison of Macrotermes mound soil samples with fungus comb samples also showed large differences in levels of Mn. Fungus combs were found to have significantly higher Mn concentrations than mound soil (t = 26.9, df = 2.5, P < 0.01; Table 3), with 342 mg Mn/100gdw and 0.04 mg Mn/100gdw respectively.

To follow up to the detection of high Mn found localised to the abdomens of M. subhylinus we performed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The SEM-EDX area analysis on the external cuticle of an alate shows moderate Mn in the mandibles (Fig. 2A; Table 4) and abdominal cuticle (Fig. 2B; Table 4), with more enrichment of Mn in the spiracle (Fig. 2C; Table 4; Table S3). Hotspots of Mn within the termite abdomen were observed (Fig. 2D; Table 4). Spherical structures with heterogeneous diameters (ranging from 0.5 to 2 µm) are placed together in a specific area of around 15 × 18 µm in the abdomen.

Figure 2
figure 2

Scanning Electronic Microscopy images used to evaluate the distribution of Manganese in different parts of termite alates: (A) mandibles, (B) cuticle, (C) spiracle and (D) interior of the abdomen.

Full size image
Table 4 Composition in wt% of the total elemental content for five mineral (Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu) for mandibles, abdominal cuticle, spiracle and interior abdomen of Macrotermes subhyalinus specimen from Benin.
Full size table

Discussion

Wild foraged termites, which represent a commonly used food resource in sub-Saharan Africa, were analysed for mineral content. These data were compared to other commercially bought insect material sold for human consumption. Our results highlight the need for systematic nutrient analysis of insects aimed for human consumption.

High manganese specific to termites

Our most striking result is the unexpectedly high Mn content we found in all alate termites from all locations sampled, whether field collected or commercially-bought in the UK. Quantities of Mn were more than 100-fold greater than in other commercial insects. These high concentrations of Mn are in contrast to a number of studies examining other Macrotermes termites14,26, but are consistent with two previous studies from Zimbabwe and Zambia18,27. Such unexpected and large variation in Mn between studies could be either methodological or biological and should be the focus of a concerted review of Mn across termite species. Nonetheless, repeated findings of high concentrations of Mn suggest that certain alate termites could have a general propensity to contain high Mn. Considering alates are widely consumed11, and sometimes in large quantities, these data could have important implications for food safety and nutrition. We are confident the high Mn detected in these species is biologically derived and not contamination from sampling methods or materials used. First, water used during collection was bottled drinking water and so very unlikely to be a contaminant, and second, the results from the electron microscopy imaging and the specificity of the Mn to M. subhyalinus abdomens are both consistent with the Mn being stored within biological tissue.

Mn is a required mineral element in small quantities, but can be toxic at high levels causing the neurological condition known as manganism28. Animal studies indicate high levels may also be teratogenic29. The levels of Mn we report would mean that 100 g of dry termites could provide ~40 times the recommended upper limit (RUL) for adults (18; Table 1). The safe limit for young children (24; Table 1), who commonly consume termites, is much lower: for a 5–13 year old more than 2–5gfw termites per day (15–43 termites) will exceed the RUL21. A further consideration relates to the potential for competition between iron and Mn for absorption30. This may compound problems associated with high Mn concentrations, in particular for women and children in lower income areas where anaemia is a problem and iron deficiency is widespread. The boom-bust pattern of consumption that occurs when alates emerge en masse could also enhance potential effects; with large emergences being consumed immediately, thus creating acute exposures.

While the majority of reports of Mn toxicity are of people working in smelters exposed to large amounts of Mn, environmental sources such as contaminated water are also implicated31,32. Nonetheless, Mn poisoning has never been reported from normal dietary intake. However, we know of no study examining alates as food that looks at any effects of high Mn. In light of the concentrations of Mn that our study and other reports18,27, more focussed research is critical to understand why and how such high Mn concentrations are reached in alates and why different studies have reported such variable results. It also remains unclear to what extent this Mn is bioavailable when consumed by humans and in what quantity and form it is stored within the termites. Cell culture absorption assays or animal absorption assays for trace metals provide a potential route to explore this33. Such methods have been used to examine the bioavailability of dietary minerals in other insects and found high bioavailability when compared with other animal sources34. A further point of interest would be to investigate if different trace minerals from insects compete with each other during absorption, for example does the presence of high Mn impede the absorption of dietary iron.

These results may also have implications beyond just the human food chain. A recent review of Mn in insects found that high levels can have negative effects in bees and flies35. Our results are consistent with alate termites accumulating and storing manganese in their abdomens. However, any suggestions with respect to the underlying biology of this accumulation and if it has benefits or costs to alate termites is speculative. Alate termites also form a seasonal part of the diet for a range of animals; including insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Some of these groups, for example mammals, are known to be sensitive to Mn accumulation35. It follows that the consumption and absorption of termites that are very rich in Mn could have downstream implications for community food webs and is worth further investigation.

We found high Mn levels in two termite genera that are regularly consumed (Macrotermes and Odontotermes). It is likely not a coincidence that both of these genera are fungus-growers and Mn concentrations were very high in the fungus comb. If fungus growing is found to be the single determinant of Mn concentrations, it remains possible that levels are lower in non-fungus growing species. A concerted effort to examine a taxonomically diverse range of edible termites (of various castes), with consistent and repeatable results, could provide a robust estimate of mineral concentrations across termites. This scale of evaluation has been repeatedly called for in reviews of insects as food, but has yet to be realised7,18,36.

Sources of manganese and potential roles in alates

To further understand the high Mn concentrations in alates, we compared alates to soldiers (distinct termite castes). Soldiers and alates can both be used as food, although alates are available in larger abundances during their emergences. Previously reported enrichment of manganese in the mandibles of soldiers37 is one explanation for high manganese in these species. However, we found no support for the mandible-specific enrichment hypothesis: the comparison between soldiers and alates showed manganese concentrations are higher in alates and comparison between the termite cephalothorax and abdomen showed Mn enrichment was specific to the abdomen. The finding of specific Mn enriched structures within the abdomen (Fig. 2D) point instead to a biological role of manganese rich tissue. As the alate abdomen constitutes a large proportion of the total insect, removal of the abdomen would result in the majority of beneficial nutrients being lost. Thus, simple processing (e.g head removal) that is carried out in many insects38 is also not appropriate for reducing manganese concentrations in these alates.

Macrotermitinae termites, which include Macrotermes, farm fungus to breakdown plant material into digestible food. A comparison of the fungus comb and mound soil revealed remarkably high Mn concentrations in the fungus comb but not the soil. This result is consistent with an already established biological role for Mn in lignin digestion; Manganese peroxidase is one enzyme produced by basidiomycetes fungi to break down lignin39. In addition, Alates from some Macrotermes species transport fungus when founding new colonies40,41. Further examination of the composition of the Mn rich nodules in the alates abdomens will help explore this hypothesis. Alternately, alates may have high concentrations on Mn if it is necessary for the production of worker and soldier castes during colony formation. This may explain the high concentrations found in the commercially available alate termites labelled as Nasutitermes, which do not farm fungus.

Consumption and marketing of termites

Insects can have a high economic value and could provide a means of mitigating against food insecurity42. However, the observed high levels of Mn could present a significant challenge to future development of termite alates if this phenomenon is widespread, particularly as a commercial product (for example 16).

From a European perspective, the approval for insects as food should be straightforward given that legislation stipulates that toxicological levels of food are expressed in terms of an absolute and binary Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) level: if this is exceeded, then the food is not considered fit for human consumption43. Given this framing, currently we suggest there is little potential for the development of an export market for termite alates in an unprocessed form.

From the perspective of local consumers in Benin, the ethical calculation is more complex44. Many consumers in Benin live in higher risk environments where simplistic choices about what is a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ food is less realistic45,46. Whether to exploit an available food source for immediate nourishment or not if it may increase the risk of future illness is therefore not a simple choice. Nonetheless, we urge that the findings of this study should be brought to the attention of current consumers of termite alates. We hope that this paper highlights potential concerns and identifies future avenues for research and development.

In the insects sourced commercially in the UK, high manganese concentrations were observed only in the termites (Odontotermes spp. but labelled as Nasutitermes spp.). Given the small quantity these insects are sold in (10 g per packet) it is unlikely to be a serious risk if single packets are consumed. Nonetheless, this finding highlights the principal that every species (and form) of insect should be examined thoroughly for nutritional quality and safety before market. There is also considerable variation between the remaining six commercially purchased edible insects in all other minerals examined. Thus, whilst insects can be a source of important micronutrients, targeted analysis of each species will reveal which insects are rich in particular micronutrients. This information is essential for food safety and marketing.

Conclusions

Alate termites from multiple locations and multiple genera contained high concentrations of Mn. Even small quantities of termites would far exceed the current upper recommended intakes for both adults and children. Results suggest this is biologically derived accumulation, rather than a result of environmental contamination. These are pertinent results considering how widely alates are consumed. We recommend further research to determine the mechanisms for this accumulation and to establish how widespread high Mn concentrations are across termite species and feeding groups. Information about the bioavailability of Mn from edible termites, and how Mn could interact with other dietary minerals during digestion is also lacking and should be a research priority. More generally, our findings highlight the importance of treating insect species on an individual basis when considering using or marketing them as human food.