ARTICLE F&A Alternative Proteins Edition April 2023 57 The lauric acid, chitin, and Antimicrobial Peptides in the BSFL meal can explain the improved immune system. The Black Soldier Fly has evolved for millions of years in very pathogenic conditions (manure, decaying plant & animal waste…) and has a very strong evolutionary adapted immune system. Entobel’s research is ongoing to better understand these properties and how products could be developed to partially or fully replace antibiotics. A MORE SUSTAINABLE PROTEIN SOURCE THAN THE CONVENTIONAL ONES Insect production has a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional protein sources such as soybean meal and is similar to fish meal production. However, current Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies are lacking a biodiversity parameter. E.g. wild fishes to produce fishmeal are considered a free and renewable resource, as it is coming from nature. About 4 kg of wild fish are needed to produce 1 kg of fishmeal, so 1 kg of BSFL meal saves 4 kg of wild fish from our oceans. In insect production, the main carbon footprint impact comes from the substrate fed to the larvae, even though these are by-products, they still have a certain carbon footprint based on those methodologies and thus fresh larvae come with a carbon footprint, unlike wild fish. Some experts in LCA methodologies state that the lack of a biodiversity impact parameter leads to an unfair comparison between different feed ingredients. Insect production has very limited water requirements and makes use of vertical farming, leading to very efficient production of proteins per square meter. THE FUTURE OF BSFL MEAL The raise in protein demand, combined with the need for a more sustainable food production system leads to the development of alternative proteins and ingredients. Insect proteins seem to be one of the key ingredients in this challenge. As insect proteins are not only considered a protein source but also function as an attractant and animal health ingredient, it has attracted the interest of the major aquafeed players. The functionalities will be further proven and developed with ongoing research and trials. The production volumes will increase rapidly over the coming years. The construction site of Entobel’s second Black Soldier Fly factory, in the South of Vietnam.
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