Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a thought-provoking course on the "Protein of the Future" organized by Wageningen University and Research. At the start of the course, a rather grim picture was painted of the world's future if we continue depleting its resources. However, despite the initial sense of impending doom, I remain optimistic about the future of our feed and food systems. In this blog post, I aim to share my optimism and shed light on the remarkable potential of insects as a sustainable and versatile food and feed source – Dr.ir. Karin Jansen, Bestmix Presales Consultant
Insect Cultivation: Transforming Waste into Valuable Resources for a Sustainable Circular Economy
Insects offer a fascinating opportunity to transform otherwise unused matter into valuable materials, such as proteins and fats. By doing so, they play a vital role in a circular economy, upcycling waste into resources that hold significant value for the feed, food, and agricultural industries. Not only can insects provide valuable proteins and fats for these sectors, but they also offer an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers in the form of insect frass. Frass is the 'left-over product' when the proteins and fats are extracted, containing the left-over substrate and insect droppings. All in all, the cultivation of insects has the potential to alleviate our CO2 footprint.
Black Soldier Fly: A Versatile Insect for Sustainable Animal Feed Production
Among the various insect species authorized for use in animal feed today, the black soldier fly stands out for numerous reasons. Firstly, these resilient creatures possess a remarkable capacity to consume a wide array of materials, including animal and plant waste, and even manure. The unique composition and activity of their digestive enzymes sets them apart from other insects, such as house flies, making them more effective at processing diverse substrates. Secondly, the black soldier fly boasts an incredibly short growth cycle. Unlike traditional meat production that take a long time to grow their animals, BSF larvae can be harvested in as little as two weeks, depending on the growth conditions. Thirdly, BSF larvae exhibit high levels of fat and protein, rivaling the composition of soybean meals. Moreover, when compared to soybean production, BSF farming can yield significantly higher amounts of protein. To put it into perspective, cultivating 1 ton of protein using soy requires 1 hectare of land, whereas with vertical farming of black soldier flies, the same amount of land can yield 100-150 tons of protein.
Unlocking the Potential of Insect Farming: Overcoming Regulatory, Dietary, and Perception Challenges for Sustainable Adoption
While the potential of insects as a sustainable solution is undeniably promising, several bottlenecks hinder their widespread adoption. One such challenge lies in the regulatory domain. To fully capitalize on the benefits of insect farming, we must expand the list of permitted substrates. For example, in Europe using manure as a feed for insects is currently prohibited. Additionally, although BSF exhibit remarkable dietary versatility, there are still optimal diets to ensure their growth cycle is optimized. The insects' diet also influences the composition of protein powders and fats derived from them. Similar to optimizing the diets of dairy cows for milk production, we must fine-tune insect diets. Unfortunately, rearing insects is relatively new, so accurate models for predicting optimal diets are yet to be developed. Another hurdle is the requirement for consistent growth temperatures to ensure reliable production, which can come at a high energy cost. Lastly, consumer perception presents a significant obstacle to large-scale utilization of insect-derived products in (pet)food. However, with ongoing efforts and increased awareness, this perception can gradually shift.
Embracing the Insect Revolution: Unleashing the Potential of Insect-Derived Products in a Circular Economy
In conclusion, I firmly believe that insect-derived products hold tremendous potential within a circular economy framework. While we have not yet reached the pinnacle of insect utilization, the market is showing promising momentum in the realm of waste reuse. Insects are already making their mark today, and I envision them playing an even more significant role in the near future. As for trying a burger made from insect protein meal, I would certainly be open to giving it a go.