Interactive effects of environment on antimicrobial activity of extracts of the termite Macrotermes subhyalinus (Blattodea: Termitidae).

Insects are considered valuable sources of alternative therapeutics to counter the growing global challenge of posed by antibacterial resistance. The termite Macrotermes subhyalinus (Rambur) is particularly of great interest as it not only harbors antimicrobial peptides but it is also an important source of nutrients to millions of people in many regions of the world. In this study, we assessed the nutritional profiles and antimicrobial activities of extracts of termites from distinct environments differing in vegetation. Extracts of termites collected from hilly thicket environment displayed high level of antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus compared to that of termites from farmland and grassland. Moreover, termites from the hilly thicket were also rich in nutrient composition. This study demonstrates the potential of termites as alternative candidates for addressing the complex challenge of malnutrition and antibacterial resistance especially in poorer regions of the world such as the sub-Saharan Africa.