Review: Recent advances in insect-based feeds: from animal farming to the acceptance of consumers and stakeholders

Elderly Resistance vs. Youthful Acceptance: A Study on Insect Consumption across Age Groups

Insects have recently received much attention as sustainable protein sources due to their nutritional value and eco-friendliness. Unlike conventional livestock, insects require minimal resources and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, insects offer high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and various vitamins and minerals. This study in Spain, specifically in Castilla y León, investigated insect consumption acceptance across age groups, particularly among older individuals, shedding light on factors influencing adoption. The findings inform strategies to address global protein deficiencies and advocate sustainable food practices, with implications for broader European research amidst challenges like water scarcity. Methods: A survey-based research approach collected data on attitudes, preferences, and motivations regarding insect consumption. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify demographic trends and significant associations. Results: Elderly participants expressed reluctance towards insect consumption but showed openness in survival scenarios. Younger individuals exhibited greater willingness to try insects, influenced by factors such as education and previous experiences. Conclusion: Understanding demographic variations in attitudes towards entomophagy is vital for fostering its acceptance. This study demonstrated that older individuals exhibit greater resistance to incorporating insects into their diets compared with younger individuals. Recommended strategies include incorporating insects discreetly into familiar foods and highlighting their nutritional advantages. Collaboration between researchers and stakeholders is essential for harnessing the potential of insects as a sustainable protein source.

Consumer Perceptions and Acceptance of Edible Insects in Slovenia

Slovenia, influenced by Slavic, Mediterranean, and Balkan cultures, along with Austro-Hungarian traditions and strong environmental concerns, is an ideal case study for understanding consumer perceptions of edible insects and increasing their acceptance as an alternative protein source. A survey conducted in Slovenian and English with 537 participants examined existing perceptions and acceptance of edible insects as food and livestock feed. Findings show moderate interest in insects, particularly in non-visible, integrated forms, despite most participants not having tried whole insects. Young, educated individuals and those residing in rural areas have tried insects more often than other sociodemographic groups. Men showed more interest in entomophagy compared to women. Crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts were most acceptable, while cockroaches were least favored. Economic factors are crucial, with a preference for insect-based products priced similarly to conventional foods. The majority also support using insects as livestock feed. These results can aid policymakers at regional and national levels, help businesses market these products, and contribute to the literature on consumer responses in different European regions regarding edible insects as a sustainable food source.

Influence of age, gender, and willingness to adopt former foodstuffs on the perception of Italian farm animal veterinarians

Background

Veterinarians play an essential role in improving animal care, as they are often viewed as trusted advisors, particularly in relation to disease control and management; however, little is known about veterinarians' perceptions and attitudes toward alternative feeds. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of age, gender, and willingness to adopt on the attitudes of livestock veterinarians toward the use of alternative feeds in farm animals.

Methods

A total of 136 active veterinarians completed the online survey, distributed through the main veterinary associations in Italy. The questionnaire contained items on dietary recommendation, awareness, benefit and safety perceptions, and a willingness to adopt former foodstuffs (FFs), complemented with socio-demographic questions.

Results

Almost 90% of the population reported a willingness to adopt FFs as feed. Men and women did not share the same perceptions of the nutritional composition of FFs, while the importance of product availability was found to be a key factor driving the age difference. Participants willing to adopt FFs as feed linked positive attitudes to attributes such as digestibility, energy intake, and positive social implications.

Conclusion

Our findings provide a basic background on the current use of the FFs in Italy and suggest the need for the development of educational programs and marketing strategies to enhance the acceptability of FFs in farm animals to ultimately promote the transition toward more sustainable animal production. This study has limitations, including the number of recorded responses and reliance on national estimates. Future research is needed to investigate the perceptions of farmers and animal nutritionist from different countries. This could provide a more detailed picture of the current situation in Europe about the potential of using FFs in farm animals' feed, thus further contributing toward a greener and safer livestock production sector.

Antibiotic Resistance in Enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae from Laboratory-Reared Fresh Mealworm Larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.) and Their Frass

The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in foodstuff involves a human health risk. Edible insects are a precious resource; however, their consumption raises food safety issues. In this study, the occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in laboratory-reared fresh mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.) and frass was assessed. Antibiotics were not used during the rearing. Enterobacteriaceae and enterococci were isolated from 17 larvae and eight frass samples. In total, 62 and 69 isolates presumed to belong to Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus spp., respectively, were obtained and tested for antibiotic susceptibility via disk diffusion. Based on the results, isolates were grouped, and representative resistant isolates were identified at species level through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. For enterococci resistance, percentages higher than 15% were observed for vancomycin and quinupristin-dalfopristin, whereas Enterobacteriaceae resistance higher than 25% was found against cefoxitin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Based on the species identification, the observed resistances seemed to be intrinsic both for enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae, except for some β-lactams resistance in Shigella boydii (cefoxitin and aztreonam). These could be due to transferable genetic elements. This study suggests the need for further investigations to clarify the role of edible insects in the spreading of antibiotic resistance determinants through the food chain.

Assessment of Full-Fat Tenebrio molitor as Feed Ingredient for Solea senegalensis: Effects on Growth Performance and Lipid Profile

Tenebrio molitor (TM) is considered as one of the most promising protein sources for replacing fish meal in aquafeeds, among other things because it is rich in protein, a good source of micronutrients and has a low carbon footprint and land use. However, the main drawback of TM is its fatty acid profile, in particular its low content of n-3 PUFA. This study evaluates the effects of partially replacing plant or marine-derived with full-fat TM meal at two different levels on growth performance and lipid profiles of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). For this purpose, a control diet (CTRL) and four experimental isoproteic (53%) and isolipidic (16%) diets were formulated containing 5 and 10% TM meal replacing mostly fish meal (FM5 and FM10), or 10 and 15% TM meal replacing mostly plant meal (PP10 and PP15). Fish (215 g) were fed at 1% of their body weight for 98 days. The final body weight of fish fed the experimental diets containing TM meal was not different from that of fish fed the CTRL diet (289 g). However, the inclusion of TM meal resulted in a gradual improvement in growth rate and feed efficiency in both cases (replacement of fish or plant meals), and significant differences in specific growth rate (SGR) were observed between fish fed the CTRL diet (SGR = 0.30% day-1) and those fed diets with the highest TM meal content (PP15; SGR = 0.35% day-1). The experimental groups did not show any differences in the protein content of the muscle (19.6% w/w). However, significant differences were observed in the total lipid content of the muscle, with the FM10, PP10, and PP15 groups having the lowest muscle lipid contents (2.2% ww). These fish also showed the lowest neutral lipid content in muscle (6.6% dw), but no differences were observed in the total phospholipid content (2.6% dw). Regarding the fatty acid profile, fish fed FM10, PP10 and PP15 had lower levels of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and higher levels of oleic acid (18:1n-9) in liver and muscle compared to fish fed CTRL. However, no differences were found between fish fed CTRL and TM-based diets for docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and total n-3 PUFA in liver and muscle. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that full-fat TM inclusion up to 15% in S. senegalensis diets had no negative effects or even some positive effects on fish survival, growth performance, nutrient utilization and flesh quality.

Edible Insects: A New Sustainable Nutritional Resource Worth Promoting

Edible insects are a highly nutritious source of protein and are enjoyed by people all over the world. Insects contain various other nutrients and beneficial compounds, such as lipids, vitamins and minerals, chitin, phenolic compounds, and antimicrobial peptides, which contribute to good health. The practice of insect farming is far more resource-efficient compared to traditional agriculture and animal husbandry, requiring less land, energy, and water, and resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint. In fact, insects are 12 to 25 times more efficient than animals in converting low-protein feed into protein. When it comes to protein production per unit area, insect farming only requires about one-eighth of the land needed for beef production. Moreover, insect farming generates minimal waste, as insects can consume food and biomass that would otherwise go to waste, contributing to a circular economy that promotes resource recycling and reuse. Insects can be fed with agricultural waste, such as unused plant stems and food scraps. Additionally, the excrement produced by insects can be used as fertilizer for crops, completing the circular chain. Despite the undeniable sustainability and nutritional benefits of consuming insects, widespread acceptance of incorporating insects into our daily diets still has a long way to go. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional value of edible insects, the development of farming and processing technologies, and the problems faced in the marketing of edible insect products and insect foods to improve the reference for how people choose edible insects.