Iranian University Student Raises Edible Mealworms by New Method
Amirhossein Davoodi, a student at Islamic Azad University (IAU) –Arak branch, unveiled his project at Age of Hope national exhibition run by the IAU which was held in Tehran in June.
He first talked about mealworms and said that they are the larval form of the yellow mealworm beetle, a species of darkling beetle.
He added that mealworms are typically used as a pet food, adding that in certain Asian countries including Iran raising these insects has increased dramatically.
The IAU student added that mealworms can be used to feed different kinds of birds, reptiles, ornamental fish, other aquatic animals, poultry and laboratory animals.
“This product contains protein and different vitamins such as B5, B6, B11, B12, A, E or minerals such as iron. They are also source of zinc, manganese, copper and selenium as well," the researcher added.
“A series of experiments were also conducted on land snails, pheasants, parrots such as the Dutch brides, as well as laboratory mice, and we are currently focusing on producing concentrates," Davoodi went on to say.
Saying that there are farms inside Iran for raising mealworms, which only produce raw mealworms, the IAU student added that gaining the necessary permits to get the product is not an easy job in Iran due to health restrictions, However, he said, "We have already left behind the stages of raising and selling the dried form of the product in the market."
“Our action was to combine the initial product we had with other products, and we reached a complete nutritious pattern that we can use. This means that we have reached an almost a genuine product from the raw material and our product is different from both domestic and foreign types," he concluded.
Islamic Azad University's "second step of revolution" under the title of Asreh Omid Event was held in Tehran's Mosalla from May 29 to June 01, 2022 to exhibit new achievements, equipments and products in the technological and innovation arenas in line with opening new windows towards strengthening the idea of creating ground for knowledge-based businesses at the 40th anniversary of establishment of the Islamic Azad University.
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