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Utilization of , formosanus by tribes of South India in medicine and food V Wilsanand Department of Zoology Sree Narayana College, Alathur, Palakkad (Dist.), Kerala - 678 682, India E-mail: [email protected] Abstract 1999). based medicines have form an important part of the diet of human beings around always played a significant role in the the world including India. It is also a rich source of food for various other healing practices, magic rituals and vertebrates and plants. By food value, termites are rich source of protein, thus religions of indigenous and western forming an important diet for pregnant women and children. Termites are also societies all over the World (Angeletti et used in South Indian folk medicine. Many South Indian tribes including al, 1992, Rosner, 1992). Although the 'Kannikaran', 'Paniyan', 'Palliyan', 'Sholaga', 'Irular' and 'Kota' have been using phenomenon of zootherapy is wide the termite Shiraki for the treatment of asthma, spread, it has only recently aroused a disease likely to be deteriorated by viral infection. 'Kannikaran' and 'Palliyan' interest of researchers. Some are focusing tribes also have been using O. formosanus as food to enhance lactation in on its cultural aspects while others are women. Preliminary studies confirm the antimicrobial potentialities of studying the pharmacological effects of the O. formosanus, besides a role in growth and development, thus supporting substances involved (Costa Neto, 1999). the tribal remedies. Present paper is a compilation of information from literature India is gifted with immense on utilization of termites as medicine and food. wealth of faunal and floral diversity. There Keywords: Entomophagy, Ethnozoology, Termite, Odontotermes are about 45,000 species of plants and formosanus, South Indian Tribes, Zootherapy. 81,000 species of (MoEF, 1994). The tribals who depend on plants and 7 IPC code; Int. cl. ⎯ A23L 1/00, A61K 35/64 animals for their day-to-day life and health Introduction Approximately 491 species of edible problems are the real custodians of the have been recorded on a knowledge of medicinally important plants Entomophagy, the consumption worldwide basis. Insects and other and animals. Most of the knowledge of insects by human beings, has known are also widely used as drugs accumulated by the tribals on medicinal long before (Bodenheimer, 1951). in traditional medicine (Pemberton, plants and animals are unknown to the

Vol 4(2) March-April 2005 121 Explorer: Article scientific community. Ethnozoological properties of the termite O. formosanus close proximity to each other, such as studies conducted among the South Indian against various bacterial strains confirm wasps, bees, mole crickets, scarab larvae, tribes by Solavan et al (2004) revealed the antimicrobial properties of the termite cicada nymphs and centipedes are subject that 'Kannikaran', 'Paniyan', 'Palliyan', and thus support tribal remedial measures to microbial attacks and epidemic 'Sholaga', 'Irular' and 'Kota' tribes have (unpublished data). Recently, Lamberty et diseases. To limit disease activity they been using the termite Odontotermes al (2001) have isolated two novel incorporate antimicrobial compounds formosanus for the treatment of asthma. antimicrobial peptides, termicin and into their nests (Beattie et al, 1986). Soil- Besides, 'Kannikaran' and 'Palliyan' tribes spinigerin, from the fungus-growing dwelling ants also have been shown to use have been using O. formosanus as food termite Pseudacanthotermes spiniger chemical defense against fungi and to enhance lactation in women. (Sjostedt). Similar studies conducted by bacteria in their underground nests Da Silva et al (2003) on the termite (Holldobler & Wilson, 1990). Termites, Utilization P. spiniger revealed that termicin, a which live in mounds, are also subject to cysteine-rich antifungal peptide has microbial attacks. To defend themselves As Medicine antibacterial properties also. Antibacterial against such microbial attacks they may peptides are also reported from the ant be using chemical defence. Whittaker and Asthma is associated with Myrmecia gulosa (Fabricius) Feeny (1971) had opined that the microorganisms. In children, respiratory (Mackintosh et al, 1998) and classification of toxic compounds by their viral infections may cause deterioration in Pachycondyla goeldii (Forel) (Orivel role was difficult since the role was often their asthma. A respiratory viral infection et al, 2001). Arthropods, which live in combined. Since, the tribes used the is probably one of the most common termites for the treatment of asthma, causes of asthma. As a remedial measure, associated with viral infections, the the South Indian tribes used to roast the compounds found within these organisms winged stage of the termites in an earthen may have other pharmacological pot and consume as such in the evenings properties like antiviral activity or for 3 days (Solavan et al, 2004). antifungal activity. Preliminary studies on the antimicrobial As Food

As mentioned earlier, 'Kannikaran' and 'Palliyan' tribes of South India have been also using O. formosanus as food to enhance lactation in women. The use of termite as human food in the South and North Eastern parts of India has been abundantly reported (Forbes, 1813; Maxwell-Lefroy, 1909; Gope & Prasad, 1983; Rajan, 1987). Forbes (1813) mentioned that termites are eaten by the local tribes in Mysore and the Carnatic regions. Maxwell-Lefroy (1909) stated that the termite queens are eaten in some parts of South India. He states further that every boy of 12 to 14 ‘Palliyan’ tribe of Thirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu

122 Natural Product Radiance Explorer: Article years of age is said to be given a termite when compared to the control groups fed termite, falciger, while queen to eat to endure fatigue and run with normal rodent pellets (unpublished the winged forms of another African well. Gope and Prasad (1983) revealed work), thus supporting the tribal remedial species, M. subhyalinus were found to that insects represent the cheapest source measures. Termites are a valuable source contain 613 kcal (~2575kJ)/100g (dry of animal protein in Manipur and the of protein, fat, and essential amino acids wt) (Oliveira et al, 1976). Winged adults termite Linn. in the diets of both primates and modern of the termite, M. subhyalinus, are high formed one of the important foods. humans (Harris, 1971). By food value, in magnesium and copper, (Oliveira et al, Rajan (1987) reported that in the North termites are rich source of protein. While 1976). The high content of iron and zinc Arcot district of Tamil Nadu, the winged a rump steak yields 322 calories per 100 in many edible insects is of particular termites known as Eesal in Tamil, are grams, and codfish 74, termites provide interest. Iron deficiency is a major collected and sold to the merchants in the 560 calories per 100 grams (Hickin, problem in women's diets in the market by a forest tribe known as 1971). Insects vary widely in fat and thus developing world, particularly among 'Irumbars'. The termites are fried as it is energy content. Termites rank among the pregnant women, and especially in Africa or fried along with groundnut by adding highest in fat content. Phelps et al (1975) (Orr, 1986). Thus, termite formed an Bengal gram, puffed rice, salt and spices reported a calorific value of 761 kcal important diet for pregnant women and and sold. The fried pulses, spices and salt (~3196kJ)/100g (ash-free, dry wt basis) children of African countries (Silow, enhance the taste. In Karnataka, the for the winged sexual forms of the African 1983). The women even regard eating winged termite is known as Eechalu hula. Rajan (1987) also noted that in Table 1 : Common termite species used as human diet in various regions some villages of Karnataka, the queen termite is collected and fed raw to weak Termite species Region References children. The consumption of termite by Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki Asia Solovan et al (2004) human beings has been known long O. feae Linn. Asia Gope and Prasad before. Hunter-gatherer people of Africa (1983) have, in fact, long used termite to Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) Asia Somnasang et al (1986) supplement their diets (Bodenheimer, 1951). The termite formed an important Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) Africa Silow (1983) part of human diet in many parts of Africa. M. falciger (Gerstacker) Africa Chavunduka (1975), The common species of termites used as Phelps et al (1975) food in various region of the world are M. natalensis (Haviland) Africa Fasoranti and Ajiboye summarized in Table 1. (1993), Silow (1983) Analysis of the major organic nutrients in the termite O. formosanus, M. subhyalinus (Rambur) Africa Oliveira et al (1976) used by the South Indian tribes for treating M. mossambicus (Hagen) Africa Silow (1983) asthma and as food to enhance lactation Pseudacanthotermes sp. in women, revealed a high percentage of Odontotermes sp. protein (47) followed by Syntermes parallelus Silvestri Latin America Dufour (1987), Ribeiro lipids (9) and carbohydrates (2). Dietary S. snyderi Emerson and Kenhiri (1989) supplementation with the termite Macrotermes sp. O. formosanus to Swiss albino mice Cornitermes sp. significantly increased the percentage growth rate and number of litters delivered

Vol 4(2) March-April 2005 123 Explorer: Article termite clay as a means to provide uterus 2. Beattie AJ, Turnbull CL and Hough T, of some edible insects of Manipur, J with building material and to help it to Antibiotics production: a possible Adv Zool, 1983, 4, 55-61. form the foetus properly. Non-pregnant function for the metapleural glands women may also eat termite clay when they of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), 11. Harris WV, Termites, Their feel weak (Silow, 1983). Ann Entomol Soc America, 1986, Recognition and Control. Longman Studies on dietary 79, 448-450. Group, London, 1971, pp.187. supplementation of termite to Swiss albino 12. Hickin NE, Control of dry wood 3. Bodenheimer FS, Insects as Human mice, Mus musculus Linn., treated termites. In: Termites - A world Food. W. Junk, The Hague, 1951, separately with pesticides like Acephate problem (NE Hickin, Ed), Hutchinson 352pp. and Endosulfan, significantly decreased & Co., Ltd., London, 1971, pp. 169- the toxic effect of pesticides and increased 186. litter production more than those given 4. Chavunduka DM, Insects as a source the pesticides alone both in the F0 and F1 of protein to the African, Rhodesia 13. Holldobler B and Wilson EO, The ants. generations, implying that the components Sci News, 1975, 9, 217-220. Belknap press of Harvard University, of termite may be inducing the activities Cambridge. MA, 1990, pp. 732. of detoxifying enzymes present in Swiss 5. Costa Neto E M, Traditional use and albino mice (unpublished data). High sale of animals as medicines in Feira 14. Lamberty M, Zachary D, Lanot R, nutritive value of the termite coupled with de Santana City, Bahia, Brazil, Indg Bordereau C, Robert A, Hoffmann J its probable antitoxic role strongly Knowledge Develop Monitor, and Bulet P, Insect immunity. suggests the possibility of termite as an July 1999. Constitutive expression of a cysteine- alternative protein rich viable feed rich antifungal and a linear particularly for poultry. 6. Da Silva P, Jouvensal L, Lamberty M, antibacterial peptide in a termite Bulet P, Caille A and Vovelle F, Solution insect, J Biol Chem, 2001, 276, Conclusion structure of termicin, an 4085-4092. antimicrobial peptide from the termite Pseudacanthotermes 15. Mackintosh JA, Veal DA, Beattie AJ and To conclude, termites have not spiniger, Protein Sci, 2003, 12, Gooley AA, Isolation from an ant been exploited in a large way mainly 438-446. Myrmecia gulosa of two inducible because of the difficulty in harvesting large O-glycosylated proline-rich numbers and extracting them from soil 7. Dufour DL, Insects as food: A case antibacterial peptides, J Biol Chem, debris. Studies on termite culture on a study from the northwest Amazon, 1998, 273, 6139-6143. commercial scale and its use as an Am Anthropol, 1987, 89, 383-397. alternative protein rich feed for poultry 16. Maxwell-Lefroy H, Indian insect life: and other pharmacological potentialities 8. Fasoranti JO and Ajiboye DO, Some A manual of the insects of the plains would probably go a long way. edible insects of Kwara State, Nigeria, (tropical India). Thacker, Spink & Am Entomol, 1993, 39, 113-116. Co., Calcutta & Simla, 1909, 786 pp. References 9. Forbes J, Oriental Memoirs: A 17. MoEF, Biodiversity country studies, Narrative of Seventeen Years strategies and action plans. Ministry 1. Angeletti, LR, Agrimi U, Curia C, Residence in India, London: Richard of Environment and Forests, Govt of French D and Mariani-Costantini Bentley I, 2 vols, 1813, pp. 305. India, 1994, pp. 48. R, Healing rituals and sacred serpents, The Lancet, 1992, 340, 10. Gope B and Prasad B, Preliminary 18. Oliveira JFS, Carvalho SJ, Passos 223-225. observation on the nutritional value de Sousa RFX, Bruno de Sinao M and

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