DOCSLIB.ORG

Characterization of Silk Proteins from African Wild Silkworm Cocoons and Application of Fibroin Matrices As Biomaterials

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Characterization of Silk Proteins from African Wild Silkworm Cocoons and Application of Fibroin Matrices As Biomaterials Characterization of silk proteins from African wild silkworm cocoons and application of fibroin matrices as biomaterials by Vimbai Mhuka Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject Chemistry at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA Supervisor: Prof. S. Dube Co-supervisor: Prof M. M. Nindi November 2014 DECLARATION Student number: 44903235 I declare that “Characterization of silk proteins from African wild silkworm cocoons and application of fibroin matrices as biomaterials” is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ____________________ ____________________ SIGNATURE DATE i ABSTRACT Challenges in treating injuries, together with an increased need for repair of damaged tissues and organs, have made regenerative medicine a major research area today. Biomaterials such as silk fibroin (SF) have proven to be excellent tissue scaffolds possessing properties essential in tissue engineering such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and exceptional mechanical properties. SF nanofibres are especially attractive due to their large surface-to- volume ratio and high porosity which is beneficial in regenerative medicine. However, to design biomaterial scaffolds, chemical and physical properties of SF have to be sufficiently known. The thesis aims to contribute to knowledge by characterizing silk fibroin from the African wild silkworm species Gonometa rufobrunnae, Gonometa postica, Argema mimosae, Epiphora bahuniae and Anaphe panda. Moreover, the feasibility of producing nanofibrous biomaterial scaffolds from these fibroins is explored. The chemical composition of degummed fibres was investigated using Capillary electrophoresis whilst Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopic techniques were utilized to determine structural characteristics of the fibroin. In addition, thermal behaviour and mechanical properties of the fibroins were also investigated. Nanofibres were fabricated via electrospinning. The effects of solution concentration, voltage, polymer flow rate and tip to collector distance were studied to give optimum electrospinning conditions. IR spectroscopy was also utilized to observe the conformational structure of the degummed and electrospun fibres whilst scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided information on the size and morphology of the fibres. The use of the nanofibres as biomaterials was evaluated using cytotoxicity tests. Results showed that glycine, alanine and serine constituted over 70% of the amino acid composition of all the fibroins. Gonometa fibroin had more glycine than alanine whilst the opposite was true for Argema mimosae, Epiphora bahuniae and Anaphe panda fibroin. The abundance of basic amino acids in Gonometa rufobrunnae, Gonometa postica, Argema mimosae and Epiphora bahuniae fibroin makes them prime candidates for cell and tissue culture. The amino acid composition of the fibroins influenced secondary structure as the β- sheet structure. Anaphe panda, Argema mimosae and Epiphora bahuniae silks was made up of mostly alanine-alanine (Ala-Ala)n polypeptides whilst Gonometa fibroin had an interesting ii mixture of both glycine-alanine (Gly-Ala)n and (Ala-Ala)n units. The unique structures impacted the mechanical and thermal properties of the fibroins. Production of Gonometa nanofibres was mainly dependent on fibroin solution concentration. A minimum of 27 % w/v was needed to produce defect free nanofibres. Diameters of the electrospun fibres produced ranged from 300 to 2500 nm. IR spectroscopy data highlighted that the β-sheet conformation of degummed fibroin was degraded during the formation of the nanofibres rendering them water soluble. It was however possible to regenerate the β-sheet structure in the nanofibres by exposing them to various solvents. Cytotoxicity tests using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay demonstrated that the nanofibres were not toxic to cells, a major prerequisite for use as a biomaterial. This thesis successfully provides useful data in an area that has been minimally explored. Results suggest that SF from African silkworm species offers diversity in properties and are therefore attractive for use as biomaterials, especially in cell and tissue engineering. As far as we could determine, we are the first to extend the use of fibroin from African silk species by producing Gonometa SF nanofibres that are of potential use as biomaterial scaffolds. iii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my family. To my parents, sisters and brother- for their constant support and advice in all situations of life. To my husband Collin and beautiful children, Dylan and Danielle, who God has provided to be my motivation and greatest support. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your continuous love, understanding and encouragement. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my sincere gratitude to people and institutions that have assisted in my accomplishing this great work. My sincerest thanks go to Prof. Simiso Dube and Prof Matthew M. Nindi for giving me the opportunity to do my PhD under their mentorship. I greatly appreciate their constant support and guidance throughout my studies I am also grateful for their ideas and input as well as giving me freedom to explore my own ideas. Special thanks go to The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for awarding me a Women in Science scholarship. Without this financial support, I would not have been able to carry out this work. I gratefully acknowledge the University of South Africa (UNISA), in particular the Chemistry Department for their support during my studies. Many thanks go to present and former group members of the Analytical group at University of South Africa for our vibrant group meetings and for their friendship duration of my work. I would also like to express my thanks to Prof. Nelson Torto, Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, for the great collaboration and for making me feel welcome in his research group during my stay at their institution. Thanks also to all staff and students in various departments at Rhodes University who assisted with some analyses. Special thanks go to Dr. Sam Chigome for his time, knowledge, and assistance with all aspects of my research; for being an advisor, support and critic during this long journey. You are a true and treasured friend. I would like to also thank Prof. Catherine Ngila for giving me the opportunity to carry out some electrospinning work in her laboratory. I gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Dr Stephen Musyoka and other staff at University of Johannesburg for their assistance with some analyses. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration…...................................................................................................................................... i Abstract…….. ..................................................................................................................................... ii Dedication….. .................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................ v List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... x List of Tables. .................................................................................................................................. xiii Scientific contributions ................................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 General Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Background ............................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Motivation of the study ............................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Objectives.................................................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Thesis Layout ............................................................................................................................ 5 CHAPTER 2: Silk and its properties ............................................................................................... 7 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Composition of the silk thread .................................................................................................. 9 2.3 Chemical characterization of silk proteins ................................................................................ 9 2.3.1 Amino acid analysis ................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Primary and secondary structure of silk proteins .................................................................... 16 2.5 Physical properties of silk fibroin ........................................................................................... 18 2.6 Silk fibroin as a biomaterial ...................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Arthropod Facilitation by Wood-Boring Beetles: Spatio-Temporal Distribution Mediated by a Twig-Girdler Ecosystem Engineer
    Journal of Insect Science, (2018) 18(5): 14; 1–7 doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iey097 Research Arthropod Facilitation by Wood-Boring Beetles: Spatio-temporal Distribution Mediated by a Twig-girdler Ecosystem Engineer Samuel Novais,1,2,3 Nancy Calderón-Cortés,4 Gumersindo Sánchez-Montoya,2,3 and Mauricio Quesada1,2,3,5 1Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, México, 3Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190 Morelia, Michoacán, México, 4Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, México, and 5Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Subject Editor: Konrad Fiedler Received 6 July 2018; Editorial decision 11 September 2018 Abstract The twig-girdler beetle Oncideres albomarginata chamela (Chemsak and Giesbert) (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) detaches branches of Spondias purpurea L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) that fall on the forest floor or remain suspended on vegetation. Many wood-boring beetles also oviposit in these branches and larval development creates cavities that are abandoned when the adults emerge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of wood-boring beetles as facilitators by creating new habitats for arthropods, and test for vertical stratification and temporal variation of arthropods associated with S. purpurea branches that were previously engineered by O. albomarginata chamela in a tropical dry forest (TDF) in Jalisco, Mexico. In order to determine the effects of vertical strata and seasons on branch colonization by arthropods, we placed 60 branches on the forest floor (ground stratum) and 60 were placed in trees (vegetation stratum) from February to April (dry season), and from August to October 2016 (rainy season), for 240 branch samples in total.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 13 SOUTHERN AFRICA
    Chapter 13 Zimbabwe Chapter 13 SOUTHERN AFRICA: ZIMBABWE Taxonomic Inventory Taxa and life stages consumed Coleoptera Buprestidae (metallic woodborers) Sternocera funebris (author?), adult Sternocera orissa Buquet, adult Scarabaeidae (scarab beetles) Lepidiota (= Eulepida) anatine (author?), adult Lepidiota (= Eulepida) masnona (author?), adult Lepidiota (= Eulepida)nitidicollis (author?), adult Miscellaneous Coleoptera Scientific name(s) unreported Hemiptera Pentatomidae (stink bugs) Euchosternum (= Haplosterna; = Encosternum) delegorguei (Spinola) (= delagorguei), adult Pentascelis remipes (author?), adult Pentascelis wahlbergi (author?), adult Miscellaneous Hemiptera Scientific name(s) unreported Homoptera Cicadidae (cicadas) Loba leopardina (author?) Hymenoptera Apidae (honey bees) Trigona spp., larvae Formicidae (ants) Carebara vidua Sm., winged adult Isoptera Termitidae Macrotermes falciger Gerstacker (= goliath), winged adult, soldier, queen Macrotermes natalensis Haviland Lepidoptera Lasiocampidae (eggar moths, lappets) Lasiocampid sp., larva Limacodidae (slug caterpillars) Limacodid sp. Notodontidae (prominents) Anaphe panda (Boisdv.), larva Saturniidae (giant silkworm moths) Bunaea (= Bunea) alcinoe (Stoll), larva Bunaea sp., larva Cirina forda (Westwood), larva 1 of 12 9/20/2012 2:02 PM Chapter 13 Zimbabwe Gonimbrasia belina Westwood, larva Goodia kuntzei Dewitz (?), larva Gynanisa sp. (?), larva Imbrasia epimethea Drury, larva Imbrasia ertli Rebel, larva Lobobunaea sp., larva Microgone sp., (?), larva Pseudobunaea sp. (?),
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity and Ecology of Critically Endangered, Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld in the Buffeljagsrivier Area, Swellendam
    Biodiversity and Ecology of Critically Endangered, Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld in the Buffeljagsrivier area, Swellendam by Johannes Philippus Groenewald Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Science in Conservation Ecology in the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. Michael J. Samways Co-supervisor: Dr. Ruan Veldtman December 2014 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration I hereby declare that the work contained in this thesis, for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Ecology, is my own work that have not been previously published in full or in part at any other University. All work that are not my own, are acknowledge in the thesis. ___________________ Date: ____________ Groenewald J.P. Copyright © 2014 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements Firstly I want to thank my supervisor Prof. M. J. Samways for his guidance and patience through the years and my co-supervisor Dr. R. Veldtman for his help the past few years. This project would not have been possible without the help of Prof. H. Geertsema, who helped me with the identification of the Lepidoptera and other insect caught in the study area. Also want to thank Dr. K. Oberlander for the help with the identification of the Oxalis species found in the study area and Flora Cameron from CREW with the identification of some of the special plants growing in the area. I further express my gratitude to Dr. Odette Curtis from the Overberg Renosterveld Project, who helped with the identification of the rare species found in the study area as well as information about grazing and burning of Renosterveld.
    [Show full text]
  • Colophospermum Mopane – a Potential Host for Rearing Wild Silk Worm (Gonometa Rufobrunnea) in Arid Rajasthan
    Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(3): 549-560 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 3 (2017) pp. 549-560 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.603.064 Colophospermum mopane – A Potential Host for Rearing Wild Silk Worm (Gonometa rufobrunnea) in Arid Rajasthan V. Subbulakshmi*, N.D. Yadava, Birbal, M.L. Soni, K.R. Sheetal and P.S. Renjith ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Bikaner-334004, Rajasthan, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT India is the biggest consumer of raw silk and silk fabrics and second largest K e yw or ds producer of raw silk after China. There are two types of silk viz., mulberry silk Mopane; and vanya silk (non-mulberry silk). India has vast potential for production of wild silkworm; Gonometa vanya silks which plays a major role in rural livelihood security. Vanya silk rufobrunnea, can also be produced from the cocoons of wild silkworm, Gonometa vanya silk. rufobrunnea insect. The main food plant of Gonometa rufobrunnea is Article Info Colophospermum mopane commonly called as mopane. Mopane is a xeric species of South Africa and introduced in India for sand dune stabilization. Accepted: The review discuss about the possibility of rearing Gonometa rufobrunnea in 10 February 2017 already available mopane plantations in arid regions of the country to increase Available Online: 10 March 2017 production of vanya silk and to improve the rural economy in arid regions of India. Introduction Silk is a textile fibre produced by insects and (Ahmed and Rajan, 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • A Companion Journal to Forest Ecology and Management and L
    84 Volume 84 November 2017 ISSN 1389-9341 Volume 84 , November 2017 Forest Policy and Economics Policy Forest Vol. CONTENTS Abstracted / indexed in: Biological Abstracts, Biological & Agricultural Index, Current Advances in Ecological Science, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences, Current Contents AB & ES, Ecological Abstracts, EMBiology, Environment Abstracts, Environmental Bibliography, Forestry Abstracts, Geo Abstracts, GEOBASE, Referativnyi Zhurnal. Also covered in the abstract and citation database Scopus®. Full text available on ScienceDirect®. Special Issue: Forest, Food, and Livelihoods Guest Editors: Laura V. Rasmussen, Cristy Watkins and Arun Agrawal Forest contributions to livelihoods in changing Forest ecosystem services derived by smallholder agriculture-forest landscapes farmers in northwestern Madagascar: Storm hazard L.V. Rasmussen , C. Watkins and A. Agrawal (USA) 1 mitigation and participation in forest management An editorial from the handling editor R. Dave , E.L. Tompkins and K. Schreckenberg (UK) 72 S.J. Chang (United States) 9 A methodological approach for assessing cross-site 84 ( Opportunities for making the invisible visible: Towards landscape change: Understanding socio-ecological 2017 an improved understanding of the economic systems ) contributions of NTFPs T. Sunderland (Indonesia, Australia), R. Abdoulaye 1–120 C.B. Wahlén (Uganda) 11 (Indonesia), R. Ahammad (Australia), S. Asaha Measuring forest and wild product contributions to (Cameroon), F. Baudron (Ethiopia), E. Deakin household welfare: Testing a scalable household (New Zealand), J.-Y. Duriaux (Ethiopia), I. Eddy survey instrument in Indonesia (Canada), S. Foli (Indonesia, The Netherlands), R.K. Bakkegaard (Denmark), N.J. Hogarth (Finland), D. Gumbo (Indonesia), K. Khatun (Spain), I.W. Bong (Indonesia), A.S. Bosselmann (Denmark) M. Kondwani (Indonesia), M. Kshatriya (Kenya), and S.
    [Show full text]
  • Ngoka, Thesis Final 2012
    RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE WILD SILKMOTH, Argema mimosae BOISDUVAL ON DIFFERENT HOST PLANTS AND HOST SELECTION BEHAVIOUR OF PARASITOIDS, AT ARABUKO SOKOKE FOREST BY Boniface M. Ngoka (M.Sc.) I84/15320/05 Department of Zoological Sciences A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE SCHOOL OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER, 2012 ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university or any other award. Signature----------------------------------------------Date--------------------------------- SUPERVISORS We confirm that the thesis is submitted with our approval as supervisors Professor Jones M. Mueke Department of Zoological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya Signature----------------------------------------------Date--------------------------------- Dr. Esther N. Kioko Zoology Department National Museums of Kenya Nairobi, Kenya Signature----------------------------------------------Date--------------------------------- Professor Suresh K. Raina International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology Commercial Insects Programme Nairobi, Kenya Signature----------------------------------------------Date--------------------------------- iii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my family, parents, brothers and sisters for their perseverance, love and understanding which made this task possible. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My sincere thanks are due to Prof. Suresh K. Raina, Senior icipe supervisor and Commercial Insects Programme Leader, whose contribution ranged from useful suggestions and discussions throughout the study period. My sincere appreciations are also due to Dr. Esther N. Kioko, icipe immediate supervisor who provided me with wealth of literature and made many suggestions that shaped the research methodologies. Her support and keen supervision throughout the study period gave me a lot of inspiration. I would like to thank Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Traditional Consumption of and Rearing Edible Insects in Africa, Asia and Europe
    Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition ISSN: 1040-8398 (Print) 1549-7852 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/bfsn20 Traditional consumption of and rearing edible insects in Africa, Asia and Europe Dele Raheem, Conrado Carrascosa, Oluwatoyin Bolanle Oluwole, Maaike Nieuwland, Ariana Saraiva, Rafael Millán & António Raposo To cite this article: Dele Raheem, Conrado Carrascosa, Oluwatoyin Bolanle Oluwole, Maaike Nieuwland, Ariana Saraiva, Rafael Millán & António Raposo (2018): Traditional consumption of and rearing edible insects in Africa, Asia and Europe, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1440191 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1440191 Accepted author version posted online: 15 Feb 2018. Published online: 15 Mar 2018. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 90 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=bfsn20 CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1440191 Traditional consumption of and rearing edible insects in Africa, Asia and Europe Dele Raheema,b, Conrado Carrascosac, Oluwatoyin Bolanle Oluwoled, Maaike Nieuwlande, Ariana Saraivaf, Rafael Millanc, and Antonio Raposog aDepartment for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; bFaculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam;
    [Show full text]
  • Cabesl Project Report Rolf Gloor, Clement Ng'oriareng, Mercy Kiyapyap, Paul Losute
    Cabesl ProJect Report Rolf Gloor, Clement Ng'oriareng, Mercy Kiyapyap, Paul Losute Wild Silk Development in the North Rift Region of Kenya © 2009 lcipe, African Insect Science for Food and Health All rights reserved ISBN : 92 9064 2149 Published by: Cabesi, P.O. Box 342, Kapenguria, Kenya Tel. 0720-21 55 46 e-mail: [email protected] Illustrated and designed by Rolf Gloor Edited by Dr. Suresh K. Raina Photographs: Rolf Gloor, Mercy P Kiyapyap Printed by: Kul Graphics Limited P.O. Box 18095-00500, Nairobi, Kenya Page Pictures Cabasl Market Place Kapenguria 4 1 Foreword 5 2 Introduction 6 3 Host Plants 7 4 The Life Cycle ot Epiphora bauhlnlae 9 5 Reanng of ErJiphora bauhm18fJ 11 6 Karvesting 14 7 Post ptoduct1on 15 8 Wlld Silk Farm1ng 1n the North Rift 17 Cabesi Marker Place m Kapengvris: HanBy is the main-bvsiness .. The North Rift of Kenya Is a marginalized region where natural resources are under-utilized due to lack of technologies, market access and transportation. The Cabesi Project (from Camels, Bees and Silk) started in 2004 under lcipe's Commercial Insect Program. The camel program offered courses in camel husbandry and - health, and trainings for using camels for transportation. And in connection with ASAL Cabesi was able to increase the camel population by 30 animals. Cabesi provides since 2008 the complete infrastructure from beekeeping to production and sales of various bee-products. The system includes six honey collection centers in Pokot Central, West Pokot, North Pokot and Turkana Districts, and one Market Place in Kapenguria, where final processing, packaging and marketing are done.
    [Show full text]
  • Wild Silk Free Download
    WILD SILK FREE DOWNLOAD Zara Devereux | 320 pages | 01 May 2014 | Little, Brown Book Group | 9780349400457 | English | London, United Kingdom Wild Silk Textiles: Stitching together habitat recovery and income generation in Madagascar A closer look at wild silks. This moth is economically important for it is the primary producer of silk. Experience the luxury Wild Silk superior Mulberry silk for yourself. The natural colored fabric was hand-woven in India using handspun yarns. Warps: mulberry silk Bombyx mori Wefts: tasar silk Antheraea paphia. New York Times. Hidden categories: All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from June Articles containing Japanese-language text Commons category link from Wikidata. The term 'Vanya' is of Sanskrit origin, meaning untamed, wild, or forest-based. The silk was hand dyed and the buttons are carved capiz shells Placuna placenta. The surface texture of many cocoons and communal webs looks like paper, leather, or cloth, so it is understandable that ideas for exploitation arose repeatedly in ancient cultures. Saris, wrappers, chaddars, and other fabric pieces of muga silk are sometimes embroidered or brocaded with traditional motifs using Wild Silk colors such as red, yellow, and green. The side panels are probably cotton, as is the heavy inner lining. Good, J. There are several different fabrics that use mulberry silk, such as chiffon, duppioni, charmeuse, etc. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. This is raw, rough, and textured silk which feels almost paper-like to the human touch. With their captivating glint and rich Wild Silk, the silk textiles produced through this process are truly unique. Wild silks of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Geo-Eco-Trop., 2014, 38, 2 : 339-372
    Geo-Eco-Trop., 2014, 38, 2 : 339-372 Human consumption of Lepidoptera in Africa : an updated chronological list of references (370 quoted!) with their ethnozoological analysis La consommation humaine de Lépidoptères en Afrique : une liste chronologique actualisée des références (370 citées !) avec leur analyse ethnozoologique François MALAISSE1 & Paul LATHAM2 Résumé : La consommation humaine d’insectes ou “lépideroptérophagie” connaît un intérêt croissant. Dans le présent article 370 références abordant ce thème pour l’Afrique sont citées. Des accès à cette information par ordre chronologique ainsi que par ordre alphabétique des noms d’auteurs sont fournies. Une liste systématique des noms scientifiques des espèces consommées en Afrique est encore établie. L’importance de l’information disponible pour divers groupes ethnolinguistiques est signalée. L’évolution des thèmes approchés est analysée et commentée. Mots clés: Consommation, Lépidoptères, Afrique, Campéophagie. Abstract : Human consumption of insects or « lepidopterophagy » is becoming increasingly important. In the present paper 370 references dealing with this subject in Africa are quoted. Access to this information is provided both, by chronological and alphabetic order of authors. A systematic list of scientific names of edible Lepidoptera in Africa is also provided. The importance of the information available for various ethnolinguidstic groups is presented. The evolution of issues covered is analyzed and discussed. Keywords : Consumption, Lepidoptera, Africa, Campeophagy. INTRODUCTION The utilization of insects as a sustainable and secure source of animal-based food for the human diet has continued to increase in popularity in recent years (SHOCKLEY & DOSSEY, 2014). In particular, human consumption of Lepidoptera receives an increasing interest (MALAISSE et al., 2015). Several terms have been suggested to describe this consumption, notably regarding caterpillars, “campeophagy” (MALAISSE, 2002, 2004; MALAISSE et al.
    [Show full text]
  • THE EMPEROR MOTHS of EASTERN AFRICA the Purpose Of
    THE EMPEROR MOTHS OF EASTERN AFRICA By E. C. G. Pinhey. (The National Museum, Bulawayo.) The purpose of this article on Emperor Moths is to introduce people, in East and Central Africa, to this spectacular family and to give them some means of identifying the species. It is unfortunate that we cannot afford colour plates. Mr. Bally has aided in the production of half-tone photo• graphs, which should help considerably in the recognition of species, if not with the same facility as with colour plates. There is, of course, available, at a price, volume XIV of Seitz' Macrole• pidoptera, which includes coloured illustrations of most of the African Emperors. In tropical countries Emperor Moths and Hawk Moths are the most popular families of the moths among amateurs, the former largely for their size and colourfulness, the latter more perhaps for their streamlined elegance and rapidity of flight. Furthermore, compared to some other families, both these groups are reasonably small in number of species and, despite their bulk, they can be incorporated in a moderately limited space if not too many examples of each species are retained. Admittedly some of the larger Emperors take up a disproportionate amount of room and it is advisable to make them overlap in the collection. If we consider, however, that the amateur is concentrating on this family to the exclusion of other moth groups, the position is not too alarming. There are somewhat over a hundred species of Emperors in East Africa. What are Emperor Moths? Some people call them Silk moths, because the caterpillars of some species spin silk cocoons.
    [Show full text]
  • Degumming Gonometa Postica Cocoons Using Environmentally Conscious Methods
    Degumming Gonometa postica cocoons using environmentally conscious methods Ismari van der Merwe February 2015 Degumming Gonometa postica cocoons using environmentally conscious methods Ismari van der Merwe Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirement for the degree Philosophiae Doctor in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Department of Consumer Science at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa February 2015 Promoter: Prof H J H Steyn Co-promoter: Prof C Hugo Declaration “I declare that this dissertation, which I hereby submit for the degree Philosophiae Doctor at the University of the Free State, is my own work and has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other tertiary institution. I further more cede copyright of the thesis in favour of the University of the Free State.” ________________________________ Ismari van der Merwe 2 February 2015 ii The establishment of a sustainable wild silk industry in Africa could pave the way for similar Africa-unique projects to capture the true spirit of the continent. That spirit that determines her worth and echoes in her truths: “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle… when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” (Author: Unknown) iii Acknowledgements Research is never the work of one person alone. There are always a lot of people that in their own way, however small, helped to make a project like this possible.
    [Show full text]