Insects: A Sustainable Feed Protein Source for Animal Nutrition

Abstract

Animal products are a valuable source of nutrients and fibre for humans. Modern consumers are increasingly concerned with the environmental impact of animal production. Thus, a key agenda for agricultural production systems is to improve and develop more sustainable practices whereby food and feed can be produced in an environmentally efficient manner. One such process is the bioconversion of organic waste into insects in a no waste system, leading to the development of what is termed a ‘circular economy’. Insects are highly efficient and can rapidly convert substrates (such as feed/food waste and manure) into high value products high in protein and fat. Numerous production animal species, s..