Scientists have found that slugs and bugs are healthier than beef

Invertebrates are now considered one of the most promising sources of protein. Today, their use in food is becoming a trend for many countries. For example, in Holland there is one of the largest industrial centers for growing insects.

- In Russia, this direction is just beginning to develop, but no one has any doubts about its prospects. Animal protein is vital for human life. From this point of view, invertebrates are the best option, - says the project manager, scientist of the Biological Institute of TSU, leading researcher at the Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Sergey Chernyshev.

Tomsk biologists are investigating the nutritional value of several species - gray and red slugs, rhinoceros beetles, bronze beetles. The first results indicate that in many respects they are indeed superior to farm animals.

For example, the biomass of slugs contains chitin, which improves intestinal motility and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract as a whole. But in pork or beef it is not at all.

“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,” says Anastasia Simakova, head of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the BI TSU. - At the same time, the amount of protein in the biomass of slugs is comparable to its level in the meat of domestic animals, and the amount of fat is immeasurably less - accordingly, the calorie content of invertebrates is several times lower.

Rhinoceros beetles turned out to be the champions in terms of protein content - 25.9 g / 100 g, while beef contains only 18.6 g / 100 g of protein.

According to biologists, invertebrate meat is a pure animal protein containing essential amino acids that are not synthesized in the human body. The microelement composition of beetles and slugs also turned out to be rich. For example, the analysis revealed a high content of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc - the most important trace elements for maintaining the normal functioning of the body.

Scientists are confident that the industrial cultivation of invertebrates is economically profitable. They do not need heat and are not afraid of high humidity. For example, basements can be used for a slug farm.

- Nutrition is any sawdust with a small amount of inexpensive enzymes, fruit, vegetable waste. There is no need to invest in pastures and expensive feed, - Sergey Chernyshov explains.

Another plus of growing invertebrates is environmental friendliness. In the production of meat of farm animals, antibiotics, feed grown with pesticides are widely used. But bugs and slugs do not need antibiotics.