E. Sonntag, A. Vidal, D. Grimm, G. Rahmann, J.W. van Groenigen, H. van Zanten, A. Parodi
{"title":"Positioning earthworms in the future foods debate: a systematic review of earthworm nutritional composition in comparison to edible insects","authors":"E. Sonntag, A. Vidal, D. Grimm, G. Rahmann, J.W. van Groenigen, H. van Zanten, A. Parodi","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230163","url":null,"abstract":"Sustainable food system innovations are urgently needed to feed a growing human population while staying within planetary boundaries. Farmed edible insects have received considerable scientific and public attention due to their potential to improve food system circularity by upcycling nutrients from organic residual streams to nutritious food. Earthworms, as non-insect invertebrates, have remained largely unrecognized in the future foods debate. However, they are already widely farmed at industrial scale for their capacity to recycle organic wastes and improve soil fertility. We conducted a systematic literature review to provide a quantitative basis on earthworm nutritional composition, thereby positioning earthworms in the future foods debate. Here we show, based on evidence from 142 scientific studies, that farmed earthworms are a potentially interesting food source. They have an attractive nutrient composition compared to the main farmed edible insect species, being especially rich in protein, low in fat and containing a favourable profile of essential amino acids. The content of important fatty acids, minerals and vitamins in earthworm biomass is higher or lower than in edible insects, depending on the feed material. Crude protein and fat contents are higher in farmed versus wild earthworms, indicating that farming conditions provide a lever for further improving the nutritional composition of earthworm biomass. Whether earthworm species or feed materials affect earthworm nutritional composition could not be finally clarified based on the available data. We conclude that earthworms have high potential as a future food from a nutritional perspective, mainly as an alternative source of protein. The integration of earthworm farming in future food systems can be expected to improve sustainability and circularity, potentially giving earthworms an advantage over edible insects.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139233390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heat stress has immediate and persistent effects on immunity and development of Tenebrio molitor","authors":"P. Herren, H. Hesketh, A.M. Dunn, N. V. Meyling","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230095","url":null,"abstract":"The yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) is a promising insect species for mass-rearing for the production of feed and food. In mass-production systems, insects may be exposed to abiotic stressors such as heat stress as well as potentially lethal pathogens. To ensure mass-reared T. molitor populations are healthy and productive there is a need to understand both the risks, and potential benefits of heat stress, on the fitness of insects and their susceptibility to pathogens. In this study, we investigated the effects of a short (2 h) or a long (14 h) heat stress (38 °C) exposure on the susceptibility and the immune responses of T. molitor larvae exposed to a fungal pathogen (Metarhizium brunneum). Larvae were exposed to the pathogen either immediately or five days after the heat stress treatments. The development of heat stressed larvae and their offspring was also assessed. A short heat stress immediately before exposure to M. brunneum increased the survival probability of T. molitor larvae, which correlated with increased antibacterial activity in the hemolymph. The exposure of larvae to short, or long heat stresses five days before pathogen exposure did not affect their survival, despite a temporary lowered body mass gain of heat stressed larvae. However, heat stressed larvae showed decreased hemocyte concentrations when exposed to M. brunneum. We also found an increased body weight in larval offspring of females that had been exposed to a short heat stress as larvae themselves. These findings demonstrate the importance of understanding the effects of heat stress in the long-term. The beneficial effects of heat stress on pathogen susceptibility in T. molitor and the negative effects on body mass gain are only transient, whereas negative effects on immune response (hemocyte concentrations) persist over an extended period.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"82 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139244062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Boatta, J.A.H. Smit, M.A.W.M. Lautenschutz, E.D. Ellen, J. Ellers
{"title":"Heritability of fat accumulation in the house fly and its implication for the selection of nutritionally tailored phenotypes","authors":"F. Boatta, J.A.H. Smit, M.A.W.M. Lautenschutz, E.D. Ellen, J. Ellers","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230149","url":null,"abstract":"Fats make up a large fraction of the larval biomass in insects and are of increasing relevance for industrial purposes. The quantity of fats accumulated during the larval period can vary greatly among individuals. To selectively breed favourable fat accumulation phenotypes for commercial purpose, a genetic component underlying these differences would be required. In this study we determined the heritability of larval fat accumulation in the common housefly (Musca domestica L.). A nested paternal half-sib breeding design resulted in a total of 47 full-sib families, which produced in total 633 larvae, each phenotyped for their dry weight and fat content (absolute and relative). Adult selection was strictly standardized to reduce the variation in fat content induced by differences in development time during the immature stages: sires and dams were separated according to their pupation day and emergence day, and subsequently pooled into randomized groups. Two animal models were built to estimate the heritability of larval fat accumulation: (1) a Markov Chain Monte Carlo linear mixed model (MCMCglmm) where three sets of priors were used, and (2) one based on linear mixed model using restricted maximum likelihood (ASReml). The results showed a moderate heritability for larval absolute fat content for both MCMCglmm (between 0.30 and 0.38, depending on the set of prior used) and ASReml (0.37 ± 0.11). Slightly higher estimates were obtained for the relative fat content with both the MCMCglmm (between 0.34-0.48) and ASReml (0.47 ± 0.10). In contrast, heritability estimates for larval dry weight were low and could be obtained only with the MCMCglmm model (between 0.11-0.22). This work provides valuable insights into the quantitative genetics of larval fat characteristics, a trait of high relevance for the emerging sector producing insects for feed and food.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139243638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
W. Yakti, E. Widjaja, N. Förster, I. Mewis, C. Ulrichs
{"title":"Evaluating the ability of desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) to grow when feeding on tomato leaves (Solanum lycopersicum) versus wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum)","authors":"W. Yakti, E. Widjaja, N. Förster, I. Mewis, C. Ulrichs","doi":"10.1163/23524588-00001027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-00001027","url":null,"abstract":"The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is a notorious swarm-forming agricultural pest widely collected for its use as food and feed. Its ability to grow on tomato leaf waste as a sole nutritional source was investigated given its ability to consume a wide range of plants. The growth and nutrient composition of desert locusts and their generated frass were compared in nymphs reared on tomato leaves versus wheatgrass. The desert locusts demonstrated higher growth on wheatgrass diet, but they also thrived on tomato leaves without observed mortalities. An average production of 14.38 g desert locust biomass consumed 375.8 g of fresh tomato leaves. Desert locusts fed with tomato leaves had higher crude protein content (61% compared to 58% in wheatgrass-fed desert locusts) and lower fat content (8% compared to 14% in wheatgrass-fed desert locusts). The diet also influenced the levels of Ca, Cu, Mn, S, and Zn in the desert locust biomass. Furthermore, the analysis of the generated frass revealed significant differences in the levels of B, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mo, Na, P, S, Zn, and N, depending on the plant material provided. The findings suggest that the desert locust can be reared efficiently on tomato leaves, transforming this waste stream into a protein-rich insect biomass and frass.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"121 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139244712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
N. Ormanoğlu, G. Baliota, C. Rumbos, C. G. Athanassiou
{"title":"Effect of temperature on the oviposition and egg hatching performance of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)","authors":"N. Ormanoğlu, G. Baliota, C. Rumbos, C. G. Athanassiou","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230170","url":null,"abstract":"The commercial accessibility of insect biomass for food and feed necessitates a systematic examination of the various factors that can potentially hinder the efficiency of insect farming. This study focuses on identifying the optimal thermal requirements for the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), an edible insect species of particular interest due to its significant potential as a food and feed source. Adults of the species were left to oviposit continuously for 45 days, under controlled laboratory conditions at 20, 25, 30 and 32 °C. The number of eggs laid by the adults, as well as the larval emergence was recorded during this period. Based on the findings, the reproduction output, expressed as the cumulative number of eggs per adult and the cumulative larval hatching rate, was affected by the temperature levels tested here. It has been determined that the optimal reproductive output of A. diaperinus can be attained by maintaining newly emerged adults within a temperature range of 25 to 30 °C for a period of 42 days. During this period, it is anticipated that each adult will yield an average of 73 eggs, while an estimated hatchability rate of 69 and 58% at 25 and 30 °C, respectively. Our study is one of the few that evaluate the efficacy of retaining parental adults of A. diaperinus for oviposition under commercial mass-rearing conditions, taking into account egg and larval production.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"120 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139248287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Siddiqui, K.A. Ampofo, E. Dery, A. Eddy-Doh, R. Castro‐Muñoz, M. Pushpalatha, I. Fernando
{"title":"Scarabaeidae as human food – A comprehensive review","authors":"S. Siddiqui, K.A. Ampofo, E. Dery, A. Eddy-Doh, R. Castro‐Muñoz, M. Pushpalatha, I. Fernando","doi":"10.1163/23524588-00001001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-00001001","url":null,"abstract":"Rising global population and sustainable protein demand have sparked interest in unique food sources. Entomophagy, or insect consumption, presents a solution and Scarab beetles, part of the Scarabaeidae family, offer a novel food option. The comprehensive review underscores their potential as human food, with strong nutrition, low environmental impact, and the ability to ease strain on conventional agriculture. Nutritional analysis reveals rich protein content, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Scarab beetles’ beneficial fatty acid profile and healthy fats position them as a superior protein source to traditional livestock. Scarabaeidae excel in feed conversion, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and require minimal land, establishing them as an ecologically sustainable protein source. Cultural attitudes towards insect consumption vary; history exists in some regions while skepticism prevails in others. Highlighting nutritional advantages, organizing outreach, and introducing processed scarab products could enhance acceptance. The review addresses challenges including mass rearing, processing, allergens, and toxins. Evolving insect-based food regulations require cautious consideration. Success depends on multidisciplinary efforts including nutrition, environmental sustainability, cultural openness, and regulatory alignment. Continued research and collaboration are essential to fully unlock Scarabaeidae’s potential as a sustainable, nutritious food source for our growing global population.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"20 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139276965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Morand-Laffargue, D. Vairo, C. Halimi, E. Chiarello, B. Creton, D. Sabatier, P. Borel
{"title":"Ability of black soldier fly larvae to bioaccumulate tocopherols from different substrates and measurement of larval tocopherol bioavailability in vitro","authors":"L. Morand-Laffargue, D. Vairo, C. Halimi, E. Chiarello, B. Creton, D. Sabatier, P. Borel","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230183b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230183b","url":null,"abstract":"Edible insects are an emerging approach to provide sustainable proteins in feed. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can also bioaccumulate micronutrients from various substrates. The purpose of this study was to assess whether BSFL can bioaccumulate significant concentrations of bioavailable α and ɣ-tocopherol (TOC) from vitamin E (VE) rich substrates. BSFL were reared on VE rich substrates, e.g. wheat germ oil, bran, etc. α and γ-tocopherol were quantified in larvae and substrates by HPLC. VE bioaccessibility was estimated using an in vitro model of digestion. Uptake efficiency of micellarized VE by intestinal cell was estimated using Caco-2 cells. BSFL were at least as rich in α-TOC, but not ɣ-TOC, as their rearing substrates. VE bioaccessibility was almost always significantly lower in BSFL than in corresponding substrates. Conversely, VE uptake efficiency was either not significantly different or significantly higher in BSFLs than in substrates. Thus, VE enrichment of BSFL from VE rich substrates, in particular co-products such as brans and oil cakes, could be an innovative way to recycle VE and to provide significant amounts of sustainable VE in farm animal feed.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"133 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139276742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S.M. dos Santos, F.G. da Silva, H.R. Bavosa, I. P. Martins, J. Nascimento, P. G. Lemes, W.C.L. Nogueira, D.V. da Costa
{"title":"Nursery diet exclusion during the development of Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) in restaurant food waste","authors":"S.M. dos Santos, F.G. da Silva, H.R. Bavosa, I. P. Martins, J. Nascimento, P. G. Lemes, W.C.L. Nogueira, D.V. da Costa","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230074","url":null,"abstract":"The black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is a valuable commercial insect for its nutritional and productive aspects, ability to cycle organic waste, and use as protein in animal feed. Its rearing is done in two steps, the ‘nursery diet’, and the ‘rearing’ diet, but the nursery diet may increase costs and labour. The effect of the nursery diet time on larval performance, substrate reduction, and larval nutritional composition were evaluated to determine whether it is possible to remove this step from the BSF production process. Chicken feed was used as nursery diet and restaurant food waste for the rearing diet. The performance and chemical composition of BSF larvae with eggs inoculated directly into the restaurant food waste and incubated in the nursery diet were evaluated for six, eight, ten, and 12 days. Substrate reduction was higher for larvae raised without nursery diet. The final weight, growth rate, and number of live larvae were the same for larvae reared with or without nursery diet. Larvae reared without nursery diet had higher crude protein, lower dry matter, and ash content than larvae on nursery diet. The nursery diet did not improve most of the characteristics analysed, and the nutritional levels of the larvae. This may suggest that this step could be ignored when rearing BSF larvae on restaurant waste.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"24 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139277304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Hwang, S.H. Lee, T.-W. Goo, K.-S. Lee, E.-Y. Yun
{"title":"Standardisation of fermented pellet feed of Tenebrio molitor larvae for use as a biodiesel raw material","authors":"D. Hwang, S.H. Lee, T.-W. Goo, K.-S. Lee, E.-Y. Yun","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230091","url":null,"abstract":"To use mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a raw material for biodiesel production, after selecting three raw materials (wheat bran, mealworm frass, food waste) among 10 raw materials, WB50-FW50 (wheat bran:food waste = 50:50), which had the highest weight gain rate (WGR) and body fat content increase efficacy, was determined to be the optimal raw material combination. As a result of fermenting WB50-FW50 using microorganisms (Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Pediococcus acidilactici) with excellent enzymatic activities to increase the absorption rate in the body, WGR was increased by 40% compared to non-fermented WB50-FW50. To increase the value of the product and the convenience of distribution and use, we attempted to manufacture a pellet-type feed with a diameter of 6 mm and length of 10 mm. Based on the selection of inexpensive raw materials without adversely affecting viability and WGR, 0.05% sorbic acid was added as a preservative, and 20% agar was added as an excipient. The drying time after pellet moulding was determined to be 50 min, considering the high WGR, and the final pellet-type fermented mixed feed with sorbic acid and agar (PFMF) preparation was completed. Finally, compared to powdered wheat bran, a conventional mealworm feed, PFMF fed to mealworms increased WGR by 25.6% and body fat content by 18.8%. In conclusion, we suggest that the PFMF is a valuable feed with high economic feasibility, eco-friendliness, and convenience for breeding of mealworms for biodiesel production.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"314 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139282357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Facchini, V. Dietemann, J.D. Ellis, J. D. Evans, P. Neumann, N. L. Carreck
{"title":"The COLOSS BEEBOOK – an example of standard methods in insect research","authors":"E. Facchini, V. Dietemann, J.D. Ellis, J. D. Evans, P. Neumann, N. L. Carreck","doi":"10.1163/23524588-20230023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/23524588-20230023","url":null,"abstract":"Honey bees play an essential role in modern agriculture as farm animals and crop pollinators, and they contribute to one third of our diet. Over the last few decades, managed honey bees have faced large-scale losses worldwide. Various causes include the spread of pathogens and parasites, habitat loss and loss of forage, pesticide use, and climate change. Many scientists investigated these issues worldwide separately and independently, often using different methodologies, and this approach might lead to conflicting and sometimes erroneous findings. To provide global and sustainable solutions, a group of bee scientists established COLOSS, a non-profit association for the prevention of honey bee COlony LOSSes. Its mission is to investigate the causes of declining bee health and find effective means to improve the well-being of bees. COLOSS comprises various Core Projects and Task Forces focusing on specific topics identified by the association to receive priority attention. Among the core projects, the COLOSS BEEBOOK is a unique venture aiming to provide a standardised methods manual for studying the honey bee. The project’s goal has been to create a comprehensive collection of established methods and techniques for honey bee research, with the aim of making studies conducted by different groups across the world more comparable. The resulting practical manual contains over 2,000 standardized methods across all fields of honey bee research. It is definitive, but evolving, research manual. There is a strong need for standardisation in the fast-growing field of edible insect farming and research. The COLOSS BEEBOOK stands as a testament to the achievements that can be made when researchers collaborate towards a common goal, and it can serve as an inspiration for the establishment of standardized methods for the mass rearing of edible insects.","PeriodicalId":48604,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Insects as Food and Feed","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139281801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}