ARTICLE 50 Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2024 “Today, insects from order Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera represent the most prevalent groups of insects which are used as an alternative feedstuff, either as a full fat insect meal, defatted insect meal, or insect derived oil. Their inclusion is in many cases considered as a good quality protein or fat addition in feed mixtures, but edible insects pose as much more when it comes to their physiological and biological activity.” INSECT MEALS AS A SOURCE OF FUNCTIONAL AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS Dr. Milos Petrovic, Professor R&D Manager Green Cell Innovation, Serbia Masa Ivkovic Product Manager Green Cell Innovation, Serbia With the world population projected to reach 9.8 billion people by 2050, both accessibility and affordability of alternative proteins are to be taken into account if they are to play a substantial role in addressing these challenges. Showing great potential for future food systems, edible insects are considered an environmentally friendly choice as alternative sources of proteins. Their primary benefit is reflected in a good nutritional profile — high percentage of protein with high-quality amino acids, fatty acids (e.g. omega-3), fibers, vitamins (e.g. vitamin B12), and minerals such as calcium and iron, as well as highly efficient conversion of ingested matter into biomass. Many insects possess the potential for recycling agricultural waste products, which they can use as feeding substrates and transform them into nutritious food and feedstuff, which is then returned to the production cycle. Today, insects from order Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera represent the most prevalent groups of insects which are used as an alternative feedstuff, either as a full fat insect meal, defatted insect meal, or insect derived oil. Their inclusion is in many cases considered as a good quality protein or fat addition in feed mixtures, but edible insects pose as much more when it comes to their physiological and biological activity. The bioactivities of various edible insect species have been tested using in vitro
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