Insects are being hailed as the food of the future because of their sustainability benefits.
They are an excellent source of protein, and they can be taken up There are significantly fewer resourcesIt is much easier to produce than traditional farming.
A new opinion PaperScientists suggest that switching to a diet that includes insects could have additional positive impacts on how we grow crops.
The paper discusses how to use the waste products from the production of insect food for human consumption and the potential benefits it could have on the growth of sustainable crops.
Potentially, byproducts from insect farms could provide crop farmers with an organic soil amendment that promotes plant growth and impacts soil microbiome to promote plant health.
“An innovative organic soil amendment is EmergingThe production of yellow mealworms, an insect source of animal protein, is possible through the production of a new type of animal protein (Tenebrio molitor), lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), house cricket (Acheta domesticus), black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), or housefly (Musca domestica) for food and feed,” StateThe paper’s authors.
Insect exuviae are and frass are two byproducts of the production of insects for food or feed. Exuviae is the exoskeletons of insects left over after molting; frass is insect poop and unconsumed food. These byproducts may be useful alternatives to pesticides or conventional fertilizers.
“Chitin is an important component of insect exuviae. It is a high-molecular-weight amino-sugar polysaccharide with high molecular weight that is also found in fungal cell walls, and the exoskeletons of many crustaceans. Chitin-rich soil amendments have been Demonstrated“To promote plant growth.” NoteThe authors.
“There is however a group of bacteria that can metabolize the chitin. This microbes helps plants to be more resilient against diseases and pests.” SaysMarcel Dicke, a Dutch plant biologist and co-author of this paper, is from Wageningen University.
“When soil is enriched with exuviae, beneficial bacteria populations increase.”
Insect frass can also be added to soil to promote plant growth. This is because insect feces contain a lot of nitrogen, which is a vital nutrient for plant growth, but is often lacking in many soils. Synthetic fertilizer is often used as a fertilizer to add nitrogen to soils.
“Insect frass has also been shown to increase the plant’s biomass and nutritional value by adding nitrogen to the soil. Both chitin, as well as insect frass amendments, have an impact on the soil microbiome composition. This may be an important factor in plant growth and health.” Say itThe paper’s authors.
Researchers also mentioned the potential for exuviae as a pest control tool. Beneficial soil bacteria can metabolize chitin in exuviae to boost plant growth and physiology. This could attract mutualist insects like pollinators and natural enemies of antagonistic insect.
If a plant is attacked or sprayed by an insect, its leaves can produce volatiles that attract the pest.
“I call this the plant’s cry of help,” Says Dicke. “They are looking for bodyguards.”
The authors believe that the application of insect-rearing waste products to crops could be a step toward a circular food system where waste is almost eliminated. Insects are fed by crop farmers or food producers waste streams. They then provide food for humans and meat products. Finally, the circle is closed with the use of leftovers from insect cultivation to encourage crop growth.
Dicke says that the next step is to get more people on board, particularly Westerners. They are found in many parts of the world. Already a staple in the diet.
Locusts are often eaten There are dozens of African countries.The area where the insects are collected before they are active is called the Democratic Republic of Congo. After that, they are boiled, cleaned, and then salted. In the Democratic Republic of Congo Caterpillars are readily availableTermites can be found all year round on the markets.
“I have eaten mealworms, crickets, and locusts.” Additions Dicke.
“Many people need to accept eating insects. However, I can tell that I have eaten many different species of insects from around the world and always enjoyed my meals.”
The journal published the study. Trends in Plant Science.
