Scientists from the Biological Institute of Tomsk State University conducted a study on the nutritional value of invertebrates – gray and red slugs, rhinoceros beetles, bronze beetles – and came to the conclusion that the nutrient composition of red and gray slugs surpasses the meat of farm animals in many respects. Research is being carried out to find an alternative source of food in the face of a possible food crisis. This was reported by the press service of TSU.
“We have grown gray and red slugs from egg stage to adult, capable of producing offspring, and analyzed their nutrient composition. So, it turned out that the biomass of slugs contains chitin, which is not found in the meat of farm animals. This element improves intestinal motility and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract as a whole. Along with this, the biomass of slugs contains carbohydrates, fat-soluble vitamins A and E, which are absent in meat products habitually consumed by the population,” said Anastasia Simakova, project implementer, head of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology,
BI TSU.