Macrotermes natalensis is a widely consumed edible termite species that inhabits termitaria of different soil colours in southern Africa. However, there is paucity of data regarding the relationship between termitaria soil properties, nutritional composition and safety for edible soldier termites. We hypothesised that soil properties viz. metal composition, and colour are positively correlated to mineral composition, bioactive compounds and level of contamination by heavy metals in soldier termites. Replicated insects samples were collected from termitaria of different soil colour types from Bikita district, Zimbabwe. Soil and insect mineral composition were determined using standard methods. Antioxidant properties of methanol insect extracts were estimated using the DPPH test. A cluster analysis was performed to relate soil colour to soil and insect minerals compositions and DPPH. Soil Zn and Cu significantly varied ( P < 0.05) with respect to soil colour. Termitaria with grey colour were associated with higher content of Zn in the soil (23.5 mg/kg) compared to other soil colours. Higher ( P < 0.05) Pb content (4.48 mg/kg) was detected in termites from yellowish-brown soil colour compared to dark-grey, grey, brown and light-gray (2.45, 1.45, 0.5, 0.49 mg/kg, respectively). The content of Cu and Zn in soil were significantly positively correlated to Cu and Zn in insects and inversely correlated to Pb detected in insects. Percentage DPPH (overall >50%) was independent of soil colour, soil and insect mineral composition. There is a possible risk of Pb poisoning associated with consumption of soldier Macrotermes natalensis irrespective of termitaria soil colour; however, the risk is more pronounced in insects gathered from yellowish-brown soils.

中文翻译：

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作为津巴布韦营养质量指标的Mactrotermes natalensis（等翅目：Macrotermitinae）的土壤特征和营养性状

Macrotermes natalensis 是一种广泛食用的食用白蚁物种，栖息在南部非洲不同土壤颜色的白蚁群中。然而，关于可食用白蚁的土壤特性、营养成分和安全性之间关系的数据很少。我们假设土壤特性即。金属成分和颜色与士兵白蚁的矿物成分、生物活性化合物和重金属污染水平呈正相关。从津巴布韦比基塔区不同土壤颜色类型的白蚁中收集复制的昆虫样本。使用标准方法测定土壤和昆虫矿物组成。使用 DPPH 测试评估甲醇昆虫提取物的抗氧化特性。进行聚类分析以将土壤颜色与土壤和昆虫矿物质成分以及 DPPH 相关联。土壤锌和铜在土壤颜色方面显着变化（ P < 0.05）。与其他土壤颜色相比，灰色白蚁与土壤中较高的 Zn 含量（23.5 mg/kg）相关。与深灰色、灰色、棕色和浅灰色（分别为 2.45、1.45、0.5、0.49 毫克/千克）相比，黄棕色土壤颜色的白蚁中检测到更高（ P < 0.05）铅含量（4.48 毫克/千克） ）。土壤中Cu、Zn含量与昆虫体内Cu、Zn含量呈显着正相关，与昆虫体内Pb含量呈负相关。DPPH 百分比（总体 >50%）与土壤颜色、土壤和昆虫矿物成分无关。无论白蚁的土壤颜色如何，食用士​​兵 Macrotermes natalensis 都有可能导致铅中毒；然而，从黄棕色土壤中采集的昆虫的风险更为明显。