Scientists have stated that terrestrial invertebrates are rich in proteins, vitamins and trace elements that people need.
Terrestrial invertebrates, such as crickets, marbled cockroaches and even worms, are suggested to be used for the production of biologically active supplements. They can be used as food not only for animals, but also for people, according to specialists from Tomsk State University.
For example, biologists of the university claim that these invertebrates are carriers of most valuable ecologically pure protein, vitamins and trace elements.
Moreover growing invertebrates is more profitable than usual farming. For example, in order to obtain a kilo of protein from cockroaches and crickets it is needed 500 times less water, 12 times less feed and ten times less land than to obtain a kilo of protein from beef.
And it will be possible to grow this source of nutrients on mini-farms that can be located anywhere, even in Siberia.
Scientists have already started creating such biologically active additives. They want to learn how to regulate the concentration of vitamins and microelements in the invertebrate animals themselves.
For this purpose, TPU biologists found out the initial nutrient composition in the biomass of invertebrates under study. Then they were "put" on a certain diet in order to trace how the ratio of necessary components changes.
Afterwards, scientists will be able to figure out which species can be used as the basis for dietary supplements.