NCT07284095

Nutritional Intervention With Tenebrio Molitor Powder in Children With Chronic Malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

SANTE INITIATIVE: Nutritional Intervention With Tenebrio Molitor Powder in Children With Chronic Malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 2 Years – 10 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a dietary supplement based on Tenebrio molitor (mealworm flour) can improve nutritional status and biomarkers of micronutrient deficiency in children aged 2-10 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: • Does regular supplementation with Tenebrio molitor flour improve chronic malnutrition status Researchers will compare the intervention group (children receiving Tenebrio molitor flour supplement) with the control group (children receiving a traditional maize-soy flour supplement) to assess differences in biochemical and anthropometric outcomes after the intervention period. Participants will: * Participate in baseline and follow-up anthropometric and blood sample assessments (hemoglobin, albumin, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B12, prealbumin). * Consume a daily dietary supplement (either Tenebrio molitor flour or maize-soy flour) for the duration of the intervention. * Provide information on dietary intake and general health status through structured questionnaires administered by the research team.

Conditions

• Chronic Malnutrition
• Stunting of Growth

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Tenebrio Molitor powder	The intervention consists of a daily dietary supplement made from Tenebrio molito powder, a sustainable and high-protein insect. Each participant in the intervention group will receive a pre-measured daily dose of Tenebrio molitor The supplement is designed to improve protein quality and micronutrient intake, particularly iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, in children aged 2-10 years. This intervention differs from traditional nutritional supplements by using Tenebrio molitor as a novel source of animal protein and micronutrients, contributing to sustainable food systems and child nutrition in low-resource settings.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Control Group (Maize-Soy supplement)	The control supplement is a daily dietary mixture made from maize and soy flour, formulated to match the dose of the intervention supplement but without Tenebrio molitor protein. This preparation represents a conventional plant-based dietary supplement commonly used in nutritional support programs. It serves as an active comparator to assess the added nutritional and functional benefits of Tenebrio molitor flour in improving biochemical and anthropometric indicators of child nutrition.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2026-02-01
• Completion: 2026-08-01
• First posted: 2025-12-16
• Last updated: 2025-12-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Democratic Republic of the Congo