Insect protein in aquafeed is gaining momentum, as research into its health and performance benefits has now established high-quality black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) ingredients as a functional ingredient. This positioning heralds exciting opportunities for aquaculture players seeking high-performing fish and greater profitability. The time to test and try is now!
Chief Commercial Officer
Protix
For the aqua value chain, the ultimate goal is to provide fish products of consistently good quality, protect fish welfare, increase profits, and satisfy the green credentials that consumers increasingly demand. As existing data and emerging research show, this holy grail could be achieved by incorporating insect ingredients into feed formulations.
Over recent years, the emphasis of research has shifted from safety and (nutrient) compatibility to health and performance benefits. Recent commercial-scale trials show that insect ingredients in salmon feed can deliver health, welfare and performance benefits, increase profits and reduce the impact on the environment. The trials clearly position insects as functional ingredients, offering benefits that go beyond simply serving as a protein source.
As the body of research in their favour grows, so does awareness for this solution. Particularly, insect protein is rapidly gaining recognition and interest across the industry.
PREMIUM PROTEIN BOOSTS PERFORMANCE
Among the growing number of on-farm studies is research conducted by aquafeed producer Aller Aqua, in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and the Norwegian producer Austevoll Melaks.
Whole Fish
The study analysed the weight, shape, external welfare indicators and slaughter yield of (whole) fish fed a diet including 4% ProteinX, a premium insect meal from Protix, compared against a traditional fish diet with soy protein concentrate.
Raw Fillets
In the trial led by Aller Aqua, the raw salmon fillets were also assessed. Parameters included for fillet yield, firmness, gaping, composition of the skeletal muscle, fat and astaxanthin content, and amino acid composition of the connective tissue.
Taste Test
The ultimate proof of success is end consumer satisfaction. A panel comprising 50 tasters was thus asked to rate the baked fillets in a sensory assessment.
RESULTS
The results showed improvements of 9.6% in body weight and 12.5% in head on/gutted fish based on feed with ProteinX. The slaughter yield (gutted weight / body weight*100%) was statistically relevantly higher for the insect-fed salmon than for the control group.
In addition, greater firmness and less gaping were recorded for salmon fed ProteinX-based feed (Figure 1).
In the taste test, two-thirds preferred the salmon that was fed a ProteinX-based diet. Juiciness and firmness were rated as shown on Figure 2.
It should be noted that these positive outcomes were achievable exclusively with the inclusion of ProteinX, and not with other protein sources.
SUSTAINABILITY AS A BONUS
On top of the health and performance benefits, the feed including ProteinX also results in a lower footprint. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae from which ProteinX is derived is in itself a study in sustainability. They can be produced in a low-footprint production process, using less water than conventional feed ingredients, less land through vertical farming, and green electricity. However, the big advantage of the black soldier fly larvae is that they gorge on (locally sourced) waste flows, which they quickly convert into valuable fats and lipids. They are nature’s ‘upcyclers’, or so-called “clean-up crew” contributing to solving our waste problems.
ProteinX’s green credentials have been confirmed in a Life Cycle Analysis by the renowned Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik (DIL). According to its findings, ProteinX lowers CO2 emissions by as much as 89% compared to soy protein concentrate. It also shows less land and water use versus soymeal.
Protix’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is based on real-life product data collected from its industrial-scale facility operating at full capacity, meaning the results stand for real environmental impact, not hypothetical scenarios.
SIMPLE SUMS
With the Aller Aqua study, deciding to run trials using insect ingredients has been made easy. To support fish farmers in performing a cost/benefit analysis, Protix has developed a simple-to-use Profits Calculator. Producers simply input their farm size, the salmon price, and desired profit margins per kg. The Profits Calculator gives immediate insight into the positive impact of incorporating ProteinX at the inclusion rate of 4% of the feed at the cost of soy protein concentrate. In addition to profits increases, farmers can also see the reduced environmental impact.
LORD OF THE FLIES
While the general benefits of the black soldier fly as a source of protein are gaining increasing traction, it’s important that not all flies are equal. At its state-of-the-art facilities, Protix operates to the highest standards, with all products meeting the most stringent requirements. This results in insect ingredients of exceptional quality. Protix’s production method maintains the properties of the insect protein, ensuring optimal performance in applications. This sets Protix apart as truly best-in-class.
TEST, TRIAL, TRY
Recent research has demonstrated that high-quality black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) ingredients from Protix deliver proven health and performance benefits, firmly establishing them as a functional ingredient in salmon nutrition. Now valued as functional ingredients, they open the door for farmers and feed manufacturers to increase their profits while also gaining a sustainability advantage.
Fish farmers and feed manufacturers have everything to gain by trialling Protix high-quality insect ingredients and find out how insect ingredients in their feed results in improved yield and quality, higher profits plus a lower environmental ‘fine-print’. Insects as a sustainable protein offer an ocean of opportunities, and the time is ripe to explore the possibilities of this new gold standard for aquafeed.
About Piotr Postepski
With nearly two decades of international experience in the pharmaceutical sector, Piotr Postepski is the Chief Commercial Officer of Protix. Trained as a veterinarian with a master’s degree from the Agricultural University of Lublin, Poland, he further enhanced his business management and leadership skills at the Warsaw School of Economics and London Business School. Before joining Protix, Postepski served as Global Commercial and Corporate Development Director and played a key role in scaling a global, publicly listed, innovative animal health business. At Protix, Piotr Postepski is responsible for driving international expansion and leading the sales, marketing, business development, and product development teams.
