Copping out of novel feeds: HOW climate change pledgers and food summits overlooked insect protein.

The intention with this critical review is to appraise recent work done on insect proteins as animal feeds, and to discuss the possible factors which led to the ruling out of insect proteins by food and feed commissioners, as well as climate change pledgers. Of late, edible insect larvae have gained popularity as a promising protein source. On the basis of proximate analysis, insect species such as Tenebrio molitor, Musca domestica, Acheta domestica, Zophobas morio and Hermetia illucens have been reported to contain substantial amounts of protein, essential amino acids and minerals. Given these chemical properties, insects may be fruitfully utilized as a partial or sole protein source for monogastric rations. Although insect larvae hold immense potential as promising sustainable protein ingredients which are both ecologically and environmentally friendly, these unconventional feedstuffs are frequently overlooked and/or excluded from policies and legislation on feedstuff of animal origin, at local and international summits which pledge to develop sustainable food systems. Concerns about food insecurity, our expanding carbon footprint and deteriorating ecosystems, dictate that food and climate change summits bring to the mitigation table the concept of transitioning animal diets. A change must be effected from standard to sustainable diets, starting with a declaration on environmental impact and climate change concerns related to soybean cultivation and marine loss due to overfishing. The available literature on the chemical properties and environmental impact of fishmeal and soyabean meal production was scrutinized by accessing electronic databases and comparing these to insects' nutritional composition and the impact which insect rearing has on the environment. As the literature search results revealed, information on the specific laws dealing with insect proteins as feed ingredients is scant, while the existing laws vary greatly. This has implications for innovation, as well as the trade in insect protein at a global level.

Fats and major fatty acids present in edible insects utilised as food and livestock feed.

Common food sources including meat, fish and vegetables are the main source of fats and fatty acids required by human body. Edible insects such as worms, locusts, termites, crickets and flies have also been identified as a potential source of essential fatty acids since they are highly documented to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as α-linolenic and linoleic acids which are vital for the normal functioning of the body. The approval of insects as edible food by the European Union has sparked research interest in their potential to form part of human and animal diets due to their abundant protein, amino acids, fats, and minerals. However, little attention has been given to the importance and health benefits of lipids and fatty acids present in edible insects consumed by human and animals. This article aims to review the biological significance of essential fatty acids found in edible insects. The accumulation of fats and essential fatty acids present in edible insects were identified and described based on recommended levels required in human diets. Furthermore, the health benefits associated with insect oils as well as different processing techniques that could influence the quality of fats and fatty acid in edible insects were discussed.

The accumulation of heavy metals in feeder insects and their impact on animal production.

Insects have emerged as a novel feed protein source that could help to produce enough food to feed the growing global population. Good-quality protein content, minerals and bioactive compounds are the main reasons for the use of insects in livestock. Nonetheless, insects should be proven to be safe for use before being used as feeder insects for livestock. The accumulation of heavy metals in the feedstuff is becoming a major food safety concern, as this poses a serious problem to animal health and threatens human health through the transmission of toxic substances into the human food chain. It has been shown that feeder insects grown from agricultural waste materials contain chemical contaminants such as pesticides and veterinary drug residues. Current research mostly focuses on the safety evaluation of undesirable substances in edible insects for human consumption, but rarely indicates if these insects are safe to use in livestock feeds, particularly for avian species. Therefore, owing to the potential risks of heavy metal in animal production, heavy metal residues in feeder insects have received scientific attention. Hence, this review article is intended to evaluate and discuss selected heavy metals in insects, comparing them with toxicity limits for feedstuff of animal origin, and their potential risks of exposure. A literature search on metal elements present in insects was conducted using electronic databases. In addition, the citations included in articles were used to find other relevant articles or documents on this topic. Identified published articles were grouped and evaluated according to the insect species, growth stage and substrate from which the insects were grown. It was observed that the accumulation of heavy metals in insects is mainly associated with agricultural waste materials fed to insects. Furthermore, metal toxicity in animals varies according to animal species and age, metal type, concentration, and chemical form.

Effects of bee pollen inclusion on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of bee pollen (BP) inclusion on performance and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens. A total of 240 Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to 4 treatments (BP inclusion levels of 0, 4, 8, or 12 g/kg DM feed) in a randomized complete block design with sex as a block having 3 replicates with 10 chickens per replicate. After 21 d, the chickens remained in their treatment groups and fed standard grower diet. The results of the current study revealed that BP inclusion had positively improved (P < 0.05) average weekly feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in both sexes. However, the apparent nutrient digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME), and nutrient digestibility were not affected by the dietary BP. Furthermore, carcass yield in both sexes was improved (P < 0.05) by BP inclusion levels. In contrast, meat pH, shear force, and sensory evaluation in both sexes were not affected (P > 0.05). The results suggest that the broiler chicks can utilize bioactive compounds in BP when supplemented in the starter diets and subsequently improve their growth parameters throughout the growing period as well as carcass yield at slaughter age. These positive improvements could be due to high quality amino acids, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals of BP. Therefore, it is concluded that BP inclusion level of 12 g/kg or more in the starter diets could have positive effects on growth performance and carcass yield at slaughter age without causing adverse effects on meat physico-chemical properties and sensory evaluation in both male and female broiler chickens.