Review: Enhancing resilience of Mediterranean food systems through insect-based biotransformation of agri-food side streams (black soldier fly and yellow mealworm)

Abstract

Biotransformation of agricultural waste streams using insects presents a promising solution to the environmental and food security challenges encountered in the Mediterranean. Research has demonstrated the potential advantages of biotransformation systems in establishing new connections within the food system and providing alternative protein sources from a circularity perspective. This paper explores how these innovative methods enhance resilience properties (absorbability, adaptability, and recoverability) while tackling sustainability challenges in the food sector. The study reviews current experimental research on biotransformation approaches and their role in augmenting each resilience property. Findings suggest that existing studies predominantly focus on absorbability, reflecting the urgency to mitigate the impact of the agri-food system, particularly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are significantly high for traditional protein sources. However, resilient properties like recoverability remain underexplored, particularly regarding the recovery of degraded ecosystems evident in traditional farming systems, such as toxicity towards plants, soil, and water. Research gaps also persist in understanding the adaptability of local economic potential and trade-offs for existing farmers, especially as the new market transition is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. Additionally, the review was limited by the complexity of these aspects, ongoing legal regulations, and the still-growing industry, with none of the papers assessing them directly. To achieve long-term sustainability, addressing and improving all three resilient properties is crucial.