Valorization of local agricultural by-products as nutritional substrates for Tenebrio molitor larvae: A sustainable approach to alternative protein production.

Autor: Vrontaki M; Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou Str, 38446, Volos, Greece. svrontaki@uth.gr., Adamaki-Sotiraki C; Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou Str, 38446, Volos, Greece., Rumbos CI; Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou Str, 38446, Volos, Greece., Anastasiadis A; Animal Feed Anastasiadi Single Member P.C, 61100, Akropotamia Kilkis, Greece., Athanassiou CG; Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou Str, 38446, Volos, Greece.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Environmental science and pollution research international [Environ Sci Pollut Res Int] 2024 May; Vol. 31 (24), pp. 35760-35768. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 14.
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33564-8
Abstrakt: In pursuit of sustainable protein sources, the agricultural sector and emerging edible insect industry intersect in the valorization of agricultural by-products. Establishing a mutually beneficial relationship involves utilizing agricultural by-products as feeding substrates for insect farming, potentially enhancing the sustainability of both sectors. In the present study, by-products from beer, rice, oat, maize, sunflower, and lucerne, as well as mill residues and spent mushroom substrate from the regions of Thessaly and Central Macedonia (Greece) were investigated as nutritional sources for the larvae of the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Results show that the suitability of the tested by-products for rearing T. molitor larvae varies greatly, with larvae surviving better in some by-products than in others. The highest survival rate and the highest weight of larvae were recorded for larvae reared on rice bran, spent grains, and oat by-products. Similarly, high feed conversion and growth rate were observed when the larvae were fed with rice bran and spent grains. Thus, this research promotes cost-effective and sustainable T. molitor rearing, aligning with circular economy principles.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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