ARTICLE 64 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2023 “Novel solutions and cutting-edge technology in food and feed systems will be driven by the rising cost of producing animal proteins and the growing environmental impact of agriculture and livestock farming. Using insects as a sustainable alternative protein source requires insect farming on a sufficiently large scale to substitute foods and conventional protein sources at least partially while preserving wild populations and the environment.” ARE INSECTS THE PROTEIN OF THE FUTURE? José C. Soares Scientific Coordinator The Tomorrow Company, Portugal INTRODUCTION The world is facing one of the biggest challenges of how to feed a growing population projected to reach 9−10 billion in 2050, while the demand for food nutrition will be 60% higher than today. At the same time, the current food system should also have a significantly smaller negative impact on the environment [1]. Insects considered a significant global biomass resource, have emerged as potential alternative sources for substituting meat and animal protein feeds such as soybean meal and fishmeal [2]. The insect industry is an emerging bioconversion tool due to the feasibility of insects converting organic matter into value-added sources of proteins and fats for organic waste management [3]. A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF PROTEINS Scaling up food production on a global scale to meet the increased demand highlights the substantial obstacles that industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers must overcome [4]. Food systems must be improved using more sustainable and ecologically friendly practices [1]. Novel solutions and cutting-edge technology in food and feed systems will be driven by the rising cost of producing animal proteins and the growing environmental impact of agriculture and livestock farming. Using insects as a sustainable alternative protein source requires insect farming on a sufficiently large scale to substitute foods and conventional protein sources at least partially while preserving wild populations and the environment. Uncertainty exists regarding if the impact of insect production on energy needs, feed, processing, and transportation is more sustainable than conventional food sources [1]. Insects might contribute to the circular economy since they can consume food waste produced, giving these waste streams more value. The use of insects might be a strategy for increasing global food security since they have a higher feed conversion rate and produce fewer greenhouse gases when compared to conventional livestock, responsible for 15−20% of global greenhouse gas emissions [1]. In terms of feed conversion rate, to produce 1 kg of meat, 8 kg of feed is required for beef, 6 kg for sheep, 3.6 kg for pork, 2.2 kg for chicken, and 1.7 kg for cricket meat [5].
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