SERICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Sericulture, an art that includes the cultivation of mulberry trees, the rearing of silkworms, and their cultivation, has been mainly associated with the production of silk.  

However, among sericulture, there are also food products and animal feed. According to research, edible insects, which, traditionally, are food worldwide, are a source of protein production, and silkworms belong to this category. 

Pupae and silkworm larvae are rich in many nutrients, such as protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as well as minerals, vitamins, and polyphenolic compounds. They have antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties and are a valuable source of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Their oil is considered a reliable source with various applications, such as in the food and pharmaceutical sector, due to its anti-inflammatory action and stimulating effect on lymphatic circulation.

According to research, sericulture is of particular interest also to medical science, for diseases such as COVID-19, wound healing, Alzheimer’s disease, and others. 

It is worth noting that the silk industry is a circular, sustainable, and environmentally friendly business sector, contributing to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

One should not forget, that the importance of the Silk Road is not limited to the trade of this valuable product, but becomes a symbol of the dialogue between East and West, between religions, cultures, traditions, languages, knowledge, gastronomic experiences, discoveries, and philosophical ideas. And the humble, and yet so dynamic Soufli, is one of the Silk Road stops.