Thesis (M.Sc. (Plant Protection)) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / Attractiveness of insect pest for use as sources of food may be improved by providing information on preservation and relevant nutritional value. Nutritional composition in edible insects may depend on drying method and/or vegetation (location). Influence of drying method and location on nutritional composition of the African metallic wood boring beetle (Sternocera orissa), widely consumed in certain rural communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa, was investigated. Randomised complete block design in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used with three drying methods (oven-drying, freeze drying, cooking method) and three locations (Khureng, Magatle, Ga-Masemola), with three replicates. Nutritional composition data were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Turkey Honestly Significant Differences (HSD) at 5 % level of significance. Relative to freeze-drying, oven-drying and cooking methods increased protein, carbohydrates, fat, energy, ash and dry matter content with the exception of cooking method, which decreased the moisture content. Compared to other locations, Ga-Masemola significantly increased fat and energy of the test beetle. Relative to the freeze-drying method, oven-drying and cooking increased (P ≤ 0.05) essential and non-essential amino acids. Location did not have significant effect on the essential and non-essential amino acids of S. orissa across all the villages. Similarly, oven-drying and cooking increased K, P, Fe, Zn and Mg. Compared to locations, Ga-Masemola increased (P ≤ 0.05) Fe of the test beetle. Results of the study suggested that oven-drying and cooking methods improved the nutritional composition of S. orissa, which has the potential of enhancing nutrition in marginal rural communities of Limpopo Province. Providing results of this study to rural communities through extension services has the potential of improving the attractiveness of this beetle to marginal communities, and thus, increasing harvesting and therefore, reduce insects population densities. / the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the National Research Foundation

Food insecurity can contribute to the advancement of diseases such as growth stunting and HIV/AIDS. A holistic approach to addressing food insecurity includes reviewing local resources; including indigenous food stuffs. Six studies investigate the potential of insect nutrition to meet dietary needs in rural South Africa. A novel trapping method for Trinervitermes sp. is examined by parameters of time, sustainability and bait used. Local grass (Themeda triandra Forssk.) seemed to be the most effective bait, being significantly more attractive than loose mound soil (p=0.01), wet maize stalks (p=0.01) or cardboard (p=0.05). The trapping device was demonstrated as an effective tool in assessing the feeding preferences of Trinervitermes sp., which compete directly with cattle for grazing food resources. The chemical composition of Macrotermes natalensis alates (winged, wingless and fried), soldiers, and Odontotermes sp. alates (wingless) was determined. Alates were rich in fat, ranging between 49.2-60.6% (dry matter basis). The protein content ofM natalensis and Odontotermes sp. alates compared favourably to pork and chicken. Alates were high in glutamic, aspartic and alanine amino acids and low in methionine, serine and threonine. Amino acid digestion for broiler chickens was high, ranging between 87.6-96.1%. In an era where rural and urban cultures are rapidly merging, entomophagy may be discarded as an embarrassment or nonsensical practice. The high nutritional content of M natalensis and Odontotermes sp. should be publicised both to increase the awareness of their high quality as a food source for both poultry and human consumption and to avoid the abandonment of cultural practices that make sense. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.