Pharmacological research shows that silkworm chrysalis contains 28%~30% fat and 56%~63% protein, as well as minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron, and is rich in vitamins and hormones. Protein contained in it is easy to hydrolyze, similar to human protein, and the absorption rate of human body is about 90%.
Therefore, eating silkworm chrysalis can not only supplement fat, protein and vitamins, but also increase the vitality of brain cells and improve thinking ability. Silkworm pupa is rich in chitin, and its extract is called chitosan. Studies have shown that chitin and chitosan have the functions of improving immunity and strengthening liver. In America, Japan and other places, it has been used as a new food additive.
Silkworm pupa contains a lot of arginine, which exceeds that of chicken, fish, meat and eggs. Arginine can relieve fatigue and improve sexual function. It is an important raw material for producing male sperm protein, and has obvious curative effect on chronic hepatitis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, leukopenia and malnutrition. Scientists from China and Sweden cooperated to extract a broad-spectrum immune substance from tussah pupa. The substance has therapeutic effects on cancer, arteriosclerosis, hepatitis, nephritis, etc. Silkworm pupa can inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and has good anti-inflammatory and anti-infection effects. The unsaturated fatty acids contained in it can reduce the excess cholesterol in human body. It has been proved that silkworm chrysalis can regulate the metabolism of sugar and fat.