Some Insect Species Are Good-Quality Protein Sources for Children and Adults: Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) Determined in Growing Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Insect species are suitable for farming as "mini livestock" for human and animal consumption. It is important to assess the protein quality of relevant species to understand the potential of these novel protein sources in future sustainable food systems. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the protein quality of 5 insect species-lesser mealworm (LMW), yellow mealworm, house cricket (HC), banded cricket (BC), and black soldier fly-using the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) in a pig model. METHODS: Five diets were formulated to contain 10% insect crude protein (CP). A nitrogen (N)-free diet was included to estimate endogenous losses. In a 6 × 6 Latin square design, 6 ileal cannulated crossbred [Duroc × (Danish Landrace × Yorkshire)] male pigs with an initial body weight of 35 ± 2 kg were fed the 6 diets. Each diet was fed for 1 wk over 6 wk. Ileal digesta were collected for 8 h on days 5 and 7 each week. Analyzed CP, amino acid (AA) contents, and calculated values of standardized ileal digestibility for CP and AAs were used to assess the DIAAS of each insect. RESULTS: The DIAAS for young children aged 6 mo-3 y and for older children, adolescents, and adults identified sulfur AAs (cysteine + methionine) as the first limiting AA in all 4 species of cricket and mealworm. For young children, both cricket species had DIAASs > 75 and for older children, adolescents, and adults both cricket species and LMW had DIAASs > 75. CONCLUSIONS: Both cricket species (HC and BC) are classified as good-quality protein sources for young children aged 6 mo-3 y and for older children, adolescents, and adults. One mealworm species, LMW, is a good-quality protein source for older children, adolescents, and adults.

Some Insect Species Are Good-Quality Protein Sources for Children and Adults: Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) Determined in Growing Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Insect species are suitable for farming as "mini livestock" for human and animal consumption. It is important to assess the protein quality of relevant species to understand the potential of these novel protein sources in future sustainable food systems. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the protein quality of 5 insect species-lesser mealworm (LMW), yellow mealworm, house cricket (HC), banded cricket (BC), and black soldier fly-using the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) in a pig model. METHODS: Five diets were formulated to contain 10% insect crude protein (CP). A nitrogen (N)-free diet was included to estimate endogenous losses. In a 6 × 6 Latin square design, 6 ileal cannulated crossbred [Duroc × (Danish Landrace × Yorkshire)] male pigs with an initial body weight of 35 ± 2 kg were fed the 6 diets. Each diet was fed for 1 wk over 6 wk. Ileal digesta were collected for 8 h on days 5 and 7 each week. Analyzed CP, amino acid (AA) contents, and calculated values of standardized ileal digestibility for CP and AAs were used to assess the DIAAS of each insect. RESULTS: The DIAAS for young children aged 6 mo-3 y and for older children, adolescents, and adults identified sulfur AAs (cysteine + methionine) as the first limiting AA in all 4 species of cricket and mealworm. For young children, both cricket species had DIAASs > 75 and for older children, adolescents, and adults both cricket species and LMW had DIAASs > 75. CONCLUSIONS: Both cricket species (HC and BC) are classified as good-quality protein sources for young children aged 6 mo-3 y and for older children, adolescents, and adults. One mealworm species, LMW, is a good-quality protein source for older children, adolescents, and adults.

Rethinking organic wastes bioconversion: Evaluating the potential of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.)) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) (BSF).

Population growth and unprecedented economic growth and urbanization, especially in low- and middle-income countries, coupled with extreme weather patterns, the high-environmental footprint of agricultural practices, and disposal-oriented waste management practices, require significant changes in the ways we produce food, feed and fuel, and manage enormous amounts of organic wastes. Farming insects such as the black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) on diverse organic wastes provides an opportunity for producing nutrient-rich animal feed, fuel, organic fertilizer, and biobased products with concurrent valorization of wastes. Inclusion of BSF larvae/pupae in the diets of poultry, fish, and swine has shown promise as a potential substitute of conventional feed ingredients such as soybean meal and fish meal. Moreover, the bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial peptides, medium chain fatty acids, and chitin and its derivatives present in BSF larvae/pupae, could also add values to the animal diets. However, to realize the full potential of BSF-based biorefining, more research and development efforts are necessary for scaling up the production and processing of BSF biomass using more mechanized and automated systems. More studies are also needed to ensure the safety of the BSF biomass grown on various organic wastes for animal feed (also food) and legalizing the feed application of BSF biomass to wider categories of animals. This critical review presents the current status of the BSF technology, identifies the research gaps, highlights the challenges towards industrial scale production, and provides future perspectives.

Ingestion of Insect Protein Isolate Enhances Blood Amino Acid Concentrations Similar to Soy Protein in A Human Trial.

BACKGROUND: Increased amino acid availability stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS), which is critical for maintaining or increasing muscle mass when combined with training. Previous research suggests that whey protein is superior to soy protein in regard to stimulating MPS and muscle mass. Nevertheless, with respect to a future lack of dietary protein and an increasing need for using eco-friendly protein sources it is of great interest to investigate the quality of alternative protein sources, like insect protein. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the postprandial amino acid (AA) availability and AA profile in the blood after ingestion of protein isolate from the lesser mealworm, whey isolate, and soy isolate. DESIGN: Six healthy young men participated in a randomized cross-over study and received three different protein supplementations (25 g of crude protein from whey, soy, insect or placebo (water)) on four separate days. Blood samples were collected at pre, 0 min, 20 min, 40 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min. Physical activity and dietary intake were standardized before each trial, and participants were instructed to be fasting from the night before. AA concentrations in blood samples were determined using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. RESULTS: A significant rise in blood concentration of essential amino acids (EAA), branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and leucine was detected over the 120 min period for all protein supplements. Nevertheless, the change in AA profile was significantly greater after ingestion of whey than soy and insect protein (p < 0.05). Area under the curve (AUC) analysis and AA profile revealed comparable AA concentrations for soy and insect protein, whereas whey promoted a ~97% and ~140% greater AUC value than soy and insect protein, respectively. A tendency towards higher AA concentrations beyond the 120 min period was observed for insect protein. CONCLUSION: We report that ingestion of whey, soy, and insect protein isolate increases blood concentrations of EAA, BCAA, and leucine over a 120 min period (whey > insect = soy). Insect protein induced blood AA concentrations similar to soy protein. However, a tendency towards higher blood AA concentrations at the end of the 120 min period post ingestion was observed for insect protein, which indicates that it can be considered a "slow" digestible protein source.

Effects of Insect Protein Supplementation during Resistance Training on Changes in Muscle Mass and Strength in Young Men.

During prolonged resistance training, protein supplementation is known to promote morphological changes; however, no previous training studies have tested the effect of insect protein isolate in a human trial. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of insect protein as a dietary supplement to increase muscle hypertrophy and strength gains during prolonged resistance training in young men. Eighteen healthy young men performed resistance training four day/week for eight weeks. Subjects were block randomized into two groups consuming either an insect protein isolate or isocaloric carbohydrate supplementation within 1 h after training and pre-sleep on training days. Strength and body composition were measured before and after intervention to detect adaptions to the resistance training. Three-day weighed dietary records were completed before and during intervention. Fat- and bone- free mass (FBFM) improved significantly in both groups (Mean (95% confidence interval (CI))), control group (Con): (2.5 kg (1.5, 3.5) p < 0.01), protein group (Pro): (2.7 kg (1.6, 3.8) p < 0.01) from pre- to post-. Leg and bench press one repetition maximum (1 RM) improved by Con: (42.0 kg (32.0, 52.0) p < 0.01) and (13.8 kg (10.3, 17.2) p < 0.01), Pro: (36.6 kg (27.3, 45.8) p < 0.01) and (8.1 kg (4.5, 11.8) p < 0.01), respectively. No significant differences in body composition and muscle strength improvements were found between groups. In young healthy men, insect protein supplementation did not improve adaptations to eight weeks of resistance training in comparison to carbohydrate supplementation. A high habitual protein intake in both Con and Pro may partly explain our observation of no superior effect of insect protein supplementation.