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Nutrient content of termites(syntermes soldiers) consumed bymakiritare amerindians of the altoorinoco of Venezuela

2003; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 42; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/036702403902-2255177

1543-5237

Maurizio G. Paoletti, Erika Buscardo, Dorothy J. VanderJagt, A. Pastuszyn, L. Pizzoferrato, Y. S. Huang, Lu‐Te Chuang, Robert H. Glew, M. Millson, Hugo Cerda,

Meat and Animal Product Quality

Termites seri (especially Syntermes aculeosus soldiers) are collected extensively by Makiritare (or Ye Kuana Indians in the Alto Orinoco) and consumed raw or after soaking in hot water (60 -80 C). They are gathered be means of termite fishing technique and then transported into a package called kukuruciu made with Musacean (Phenakospermum sp.) leaves. The solders of Syntermes constitute a food source of great nutritional value: high in proteins and essential amino acids such as trytophan, which is generally limiting in the food insects. Abundant are minerals such as iron and calcium together with micronutrients. Essential fatty acids are well represented. In general, heads of seri are better nutritionally featured than thorax and abdomens (not eaten by the Makiritare but comsumed by the Piaroa Indians).