Edible Insects and Circular Economy

A topical collection in Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This collection belongs to the section "Insect Societies and Sociality".

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Editors

Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: insects for protein production; insect rearing; evaluation of by-products as insect feed
Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy
Interests: stored-product pests; integrated pest management; food safety and security; grain storage; structural pest management
Agro- and Biotechnology campus Roeselare, VIVES University of Applied Sciences, Wilgenstraat 32, BE 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
Interests: insect as feed and food; cost-effective insect rearing; nutritional requirements of insects; evaluation of by-products as insect feed; insect nutritional value

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the global population is rapidly growing and more proteins, particularly of animal origin, are requested, the identification of alternative protein sources is now necessary and can no longer be postponed. Moreover, the rising demand for proteins is associated with an increasing exploitation of natural resources with high environmental impact. Many insect species have been proposed as a valuable source, due to their high nutritional quality in terms of proteins, lipids, minerals, and vitamins, and their production has been shown to be more environmentally beneficial than the traditional protein products, especially according to the growth substrate. Besides, an important role in the circular economy have been attributed to insects, as they allow the reduction and the valorization of by-products and wastes, accumulate nutrients that are currently wasted, and produce a valuable protein biomass. The use of by-products and wastes as insect feed also leads to a reduction in the competition between animals and humans in food demand, in addition to a reduction of rearing costs.

Original papers dealing with insects as an alternative protein source as feed or food are welcome for this Topical Collection. In particular, manuscripts relating to the role of insects in the circular economy, the biovalorization of by-products and wastes, the use of agro-food industry substrates as feed for insects, the evaluation of the environmental impact of insect production, and the use of insects in waste management are kindly requested.

Dr. Costanza Jucker
Dr. Sara Savoldelli
Dr. Thomas Spranghers
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • insects as food and feed
  • insect meal
  • sustainability
  • bioconversion
  • waste management
  • by-product and waste valorization
  • circular economy
  • alternative sources of protein

Published Papers (8 papers)

2022

Jump to: 2021

15 pages, 1465 KiB  
Article
Technological Performance of Cricket Powder (Acheta domesticus L.) in Wheat-Based Formulations
by Andrea Bresciani, Gaetano Cardone, Costanza Jucker, Sara Savoldelli and Alessandra Marti
Insects 2022, 13(6), 546; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13060546 - 14 Jun 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2650
Abstract
The recent socio-economic situation requires producers to change the composition of basic foods. The aim of this study was to assess the technological properties of wheat flour enriched with cricket powder (CP) (at 5%, 10%, and 20% levels) for the development of bread [...] Read more.
The recent socio-economic situation requires producers to change the composition of basic foods. The aim of this study was to assess the technological properties of wheat flour enriched with cricket powder (CP) (at 5%, 10%, and 20% levels) for the development of bread and pasta. The hydration (i.e., water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, water absorption index, water solubility index, and swelling power), foaming (i.e., foaming capacity and stability),emulsifying (emulsifying activity and emulsion stability), and rheological (during gluten aggregation, mixing, extension, and leavening) properties were investigated. Finally, bread and fresh pasta were prepared and characterized. Emulsifying activity, stability, and foaming capacity decreased in the presence of CP, whereas foaming stability and water solubility increased. The results on dough rheology highlighted the need to increase the amount of water, and to decrease the mixing and leavening time, to keep an acceptable bread volume. Indeed, 10% CP enrichment led to a product characterized by a similar volume and crumb hardness to the control (wheat flour). Despite the decrease in extensibility caused by CP, it was possible to produce fresh pasta enriched with CP, with the best cooking behavior obtained at a 5% replacement level. Full article
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19 pages, 1080 KiB  
Review
Edible Insect Farming in the Context of the EU Regulations and Marketing—An Overview
by Krystyna Żuk-Gołaszewska, Remigiusz Gałęcki, Kazimierz Obremski, Sergiy Smetana, Szczepan Figiel and Janusz Gołaszewski
Insects 2022, 13(5), 446; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13050446 - 07 May 2022
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 7800
Abstract
Insects are increasingly being considered as an attractive source of protein that can cater to the growing demand for food around the world and promote the development of sustainable food systems. Commercial insect farms have been established in various countries, mainly in Asia, [...] Read more.
Insects are increasingly being considered as an attractive source of protein that can cater to the growing demand for food around the world and promote the development of sustainable food systems. Commercial insect farms have been established in various countries, mainly in Asia, but in Europe, edible insects have not yet emerged as a viable alternative to traditional plant- and animal-based sources of protein. In this paper, we present an interdisciplinary overview of the technological aspects of edible insect farming in the context of the EU regulations and marketing. Based on a review of the literature, we have concluded that edible insect farming can be a viable business sector that significantly contributes to the overall sustainability of food systems if the appropriate regulations are introduced and food safety standards are guaranteed. However, the success of the edible insect industry also requires consumer acceptance of entomophagy, which is rather low in Western societies. Therefore, targeted marketing strategies are indispensable to support the implementation of edible insect programs. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2022

21 pages, 790 KiB  
Article
Development of a Questionnaire to Assess Knowledge and Perceptions about Edible Insects
by Raquel P. F. Guiné, Sofia G. Florença, Cristina A. Costa, Paula M. R. Correia, Manuela Ferreira, João Duarte, Ana P. Cardoso, Sofia Campos and Ofélia Anjos
Insects 2022, 13(1), 47; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13010047 - 31 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3523
Abstract
Edible insects (EI) have been consumed as traditional foods in many parts of the globe, but in other regions, they are not readily accepted, particularly in Western countries. However, because EI are suggested to constitute a more sustainable protein food as compared with [...] Read more.
Edible insects (EI) have been consumed as traditional foods in many parts of the globe, but in other regions, they are not readily accepted, particularly in Western countries. However, because EI are suggested to constitute a more sustainable protein food as compared with other sources of animal protein, they can be considered a future food that could help mitigate hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, new gastronomic trends are already targeting this area for exploring new potentialities. The objective of this work was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess consumers’ perceptions and knowledge about EI in seven different domains: D1. Culture and Tradition, D2. Gastronomic Innovation and Gourmet Kitchen, D3. Environment and Sustainability, D4. Economic and Social Aspects, D5. Commercialization and Marketing, D6. Nutritional Aspects and D7. Health Effects. The 64 items were subjected to item analysis and reliability analysis for validation, and factor analysis was also conducted to identify a grouping structure. The results validated all the items of the seven subscales with high values of Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.732 for D1, α = 0.795 for D2, α = 0.882 for D3, α = 0.742 for D4, α = 0.675 for D5, α = 0.799 for D6 and α = 0.788 for D7). However, by eliminating 17 items, the final values of the alpha increased in all subscales. Factor analysis with extraction by principal component analysis with varimax rotation extracted 14 factors that explained, in total, 65% of the variance, although the first two factors were the most important (35.7% variance explained). In conclusion, the confirmed usefulness of the questionnaire has been hereby validated for assessing consumer perceptions of and knowledge about EI. Full article
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12 pages, 1497 KiB  
Article
Glasshouse Evaluation of the Black Soldier Fly Waste Product HexaFrass™ as an Organic Fertilizer
by Sara Borkent and Simon Hodge
Insects 2021, 12(11), 977; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12110977 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3919
Abstract
The mass farming of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens L.), to produce insect-based feed for livestock and fish, results in considerable amounts of insect frass, which contains substantial amounts of organic matter and bioavailable nutrients. Insect frass has shown good potential [...] Read more.
The mass farming of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens L.), to produce insect-based feed for livestock and fish, results in considerable amounts of insect frass, which contains substantial amounts of organic matter and bioavailable nutrients. Insect frass has shown good potential as a soil amendment and organic fertilizer. This study examined the effects of HexaFrass™ on the growth of common vegetables and herbs under glasshouse conditions. In an organically-rich potting mix, HexaFrass™ increased shoot dry weight by an average of 25%, although this effect was variable among test plants. In other trials, application of HexaFrass™ caused an increase in plant growth similar to that obtained by applying chicken manure and a commercial organic fertilizer. Increases in shoot and root dry weight showed quadratic relationships with HexaFrass™ dose, indicating that application of excessive quantities could lead to plant inhibition. Shoot:root dry matter ratio tended to increase with HexaFrass™ dose suggesting there was no specific stimulation or enhancement of root growth. Overall, these results provide further evidence of the potential of insect frass as an effective organic fertilizer for vegetables and herbs. Full article
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32 pages, 445 KiB  
Review
Valorisation Potential of Using Organic Side Streams as Feed for Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus and Locusta migratoria
by Meggie Van Peer, Lotte Frooninckx, Carl Coudron, Siebe Berrens, Carlos Álvarez, David Deruytter, Geert Verheyen and Sabine Van Miert
Insects 2021, 12(9), 796; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12090796 - 05 Sep 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5788
Abstract
Due to increasing welfare and population, the demand for alternative protein sources, obtained with minimal use of natural resources, is rising in today’s society. Insects have the potential to be used as an alternative protein source since they are considered to be able [...] Read more.
Due to increasing welfare and population, the demand for alternative protein sources, obtained with minimal use of natural resources, is rising in today’s society. Insects have the potential to be used as an alternative protein source since they are considered to be able to convert low-value biomass into high-value components, resulting in opportunities for valorisation of organic side streams. Moreover, insects are suggested to be a sustainable protein source, referring to the efficient “feed to body” mass conversion potential. The aim of this review was to explore the potential to rear the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) on low or not yet valorised organic side streams within the food supply chain. This was performed by collecting research information focusing on the rearing of the insects in scope on organic biomass. In addition, the nutritional composition of the produced insects as well as their dietary requirements will be reviewed. Finally, the availability of side streams in the EU will be discussed as well as their potential to be used as insects feed. Full article
13 pages, 782 KiB  
Article
Impact of Diets Including Agro-Industrial By-Products on the Fatty Acid and Sterol Profiles of Larvae Biomass from Ephestia kuehniella, Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens
by Fatma Boukid, Jordi Riudavets, Lidia del Arco and Massimo Castellari
Insects 2021, 12(8), 672; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12080672 - 26 Jul 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2786
Abstract
Rearing insects on agro-industrial by-products is a sustainable strategy for the circular economy while producing valuable products for feed and foods. In this context, this study investigated the impact of larvae diet containing agro-industrial by-products on the contents of fatty acids and sterols [...] Read more.
Rearing insects on agro-industrial by-products is a sustainable strategy for the circular economy while producing valuable products for feed and foods. In this context, this study investigated the impact of larvae diet containing agro-industrial by-products on the contents of fatty acids and sterols of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Tenebrio molitor (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). For each insect, selected diets were formulated using single or combined agro-industrial by-products (i.e., apricot, brewer’s spent grain and yeast, and feed mill) and compared to a control diet. Fatty acid profiles showed differences depending on diet composition, but mostly depended on species: H. illucens was characterized by the abundance of C12:0, C16:0 and C18:2, whereas C:16, C18:1(n-9c), and C18:2(n-6c) were predominant in T. molitor and E. kuehniella. Sterols significantly varied as a function of diet composition and species. H. illucens showed low cholesterol levels and high campesterol and β sitosterol levels (0.031, 0.554 and 1.035 mg/g, respectively), whereas T. molitor and E. kuehniella had high cholesterol and low campesterol contents (1.037 and 0.078 g/kg, respectively, for T. molitor; 0.873 and 0.132 g/kg, respectively, for E. kuehniella). Full article
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16 pages, 986 KiB  
Article
Insect-Based Feed Ingredients for Aquaculture: A Case Study for Their Acceptance in Greece
by Christos I. Rumbos, Eleni Mente, Ioannis T. Karapanagiotidis, Georgios Vlontzos and Christos G. Athanassiou
Insects 2021, 12(7), 586; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12070586 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3876
Abstract
Although the inclusion of insects in fish diets is officially allowed in the EU since 2017, insect-based aquafeeds have not been widely adopted by the European aquaculture sector. In order to investigate the perceptions related with adoption trends, it is critical to explore [...] Read more.
Although the inclusion of insects in fish diets is officially allowed in the EU since 2017, insect-based aquafeeds have not been widely adopted by the European aquaculture sector. In order to investigate the perceptions related with adoption trends, it is critical to explore the beliefs of people associated with the aquaculture sector on the use of insects in farmed fish diets. A survey was conducted among 228 participants of an aquaculture conference to explore their perceptions on the inclusion of insect meal in fish diets. Additionally, we investigated the attitudes of nine companies operating in the aquaculture and aquafeed sector in Greece that attended the conference towards this direction. The findings of the conference survey provide evidence that there is a wide-range awareness and acceptance regarding the use of insect-based feeds in farmed fish diets among the respondents. This is mainly driven by the expectations for the decline in fishing pressure on wild fish stocks, the reduction of the ecological footprint and the enhancement of the sustainability of the aquaculture sector. The results of the stakeholder survey show that six out of the nine companies that participated in the survey are favorably disposed towards the use of insect-based feeds. Specifically, four of them stated that they would produce or use aquafeeds based on insects. However, the results highlight the need for further research on the implementation of the wider adoption of insect-based feeds in aquaculture. The present study provides some first insights into the use of insect-based aquafeeds in Greece, for which there are no data available. Full article
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12 pages, 1936 KiB  
Article
Rearing Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus Larvae on Seed Cleaning Process Byproducts
by Christos I. Rumbos, Dimitrios Bliamplias, Marina Gourgouta, Vasilios Michail and Christos G. Athanassiou
Insects 2021, 12(4), 293; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12040293 - 27 Mar 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4339
Abstract
The exploitation of agricultural byproducts and organic side-streams as insect feeding substrates is advantageous for insect farming both from an economic and a sustainability perspective. In this context, in the present study we evaluated the suitability of ten byproducts of the cereal and [...] Read more.
The exploitation of agricultural byproducts and organic side-streams as insect feeding substrates is advantageous for insect farming both from an economic and a sustainability perspective. In this context, in the present study we evaluated the suitability of ten byproducts of the cereal and legume seed cleaning process for the rearing of larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, and the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus. Byproducts were offered singly to 20 T. molitor and 50 A. diaperinus larvae with provision of carrots as moisture source. After four weeks of undisturbed development, larval weight and survival was evaluated biweekly until pupation. Feed utilization and economic feasibility parameters were determined for each byproduct at the end of the bioassays. Our results show the suitability of several of the byproducts tested for the rearing of T. molitor and A. diaperinus larvae. The best results though among the byproducts tested in terms of larval growth and survival, development time and feed utilization were obtained with larvae fed with lupin and triticale byproducts, which efficiently supported complete larval development. The results of our study aim to boost the integration of circular economy strategies with insect farming practices. Full article
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