How chitin and vitamin C affect iron absorption from edible insects
Official title: The Effect of Chitin and Ascorbic Acid on Dietary Iron Absorption From Tenebrio Molitor Larvae in Young Women.
Run by Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences · NCT06822062 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This test will see if adding chitin or vitamin C changes how well iron from edible insects is absorbed by women aged 18–45 with low iron stores.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 6, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2025 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | May 31, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06822062 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18–45 with normal BMI, body weight under 70 kg, and low iron stores but without anemia who can attend visits in Zurich and avoid excluded medications or supplements are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People who are anemic, pregnant or lactating, male, outside the BMI/weight limits, or with chronic digestive/renal/metabolic disease are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Healthy women aged 18–45 with low iron status but without anemia will eat a series of prepared meals containing edible insects (Tenebrio molitor) with different combinations of chitin and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Iron absorption will be measured after these test meals using blood samples taken at scheduled visits. Participants must meet strict eligibility requirements (normal BMI, weight under 70 kg, no recent antibiotics or supplements, no chronic disease or pregnancy) and follow study visit procedures at ETH Zürich. The study is run by the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich).
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify simple ways (e.g., adding vitamin C) to improve iron uptake from sustainable insect-based foods for people with low iron stores.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies reported that iron from insects is moderately well absorbed, but the specific effects of chitin and added vitamin C on insect iron absorption have not been fully established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female aged between 18-45 years * Normal BMI (18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2) * Body weight \< 70 kg * Low iron status (being in the lower half of the serum ferritin distribution at screening) Exclusion Criteria: * Anaemia (Hb \< 12 g/dL) * Inflammation (CRP \> 5.0 mg/L) * Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant during the study or within 30 days after the discontinuation of the study intervention * Lactating up to 6 weeks before the study initiation * Chronic digestive, renal and/or metabolic diseases * Antibiotics in the last 4 weeks prior to the study and during the study * Mineral and vitamin supplementation in the last 2 weeks prior to the study and during the course of the study * Chronic medication intake (except for oral contraceptives) * Blood transfusion, blood donation or significant blood loss (accident, surgery) over the past 4 months * Earlier participation in a study using stable isotopes or in any clinical study within the last 30 days * Food allergies, especially known hypersensitivity to crustacea, dust mites, sea food, gluten, milk, or eggs * Cigarette smoking (\> 1 cigarette per day)
Where it's running
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ETH Zürich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Diego Moretti, Prof. — Fernfachhochschule Schweiz
- Study coordinator: Diego Moretti, Prof.
- Email: diego.moretti@ffhs.ch
- Phone: +41 44 512 09 20
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Assessing Iron Levels in Pregnant Women During Early Pregnancy
This study is trying to find out the normal iron levels in healthy pregnant women during their first trimester to help spot iron deficiency early on.
-
Non-invasive zinc protoporphyrin screening for iron deficiency in pregnancy
This project tests a handheld device that measures zinc protoporphyrin through the lower lip to detect iron deficiency in pregnant and recently postpartum people.
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Investigating how oral iron doses affect serum ferritin levels in iron-deficient women
This study tests how different doses of iron supplements affect iron levels in women aged 18 to 45 who have low iron but are not anemic.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.