In recent years, the aquaculture industry has been dealing with rising costs and decreasing supplies of traditional feed ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil. This has led to a growing interest in alternative feed sources, one of which is insect meal. Once met with skepticism, insect meal is now recognized as a promising ingredient due to its high nutritional value and environmental benefits.
To explore the potential of insect meal in aquaculture, researchers from the ICAR—Central Institute of Fisheries Education, TNJFU Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, University of Nizwa, and Technische Universität Braunschweig conducted a comprehensive scientometric analysis of global research published between 2013 and 2022 regarding the use of insect meal in the aquaculture industry. The analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of publications on this topic, indicating growing interest and investment in this field.
Insect Meal: A Promising Solution
Insect meal has emerged as a promising alternative to fishmeal (FM) in aquaculture due to its nutritional value, efficient feed conversion, and potential for sustainable production. While plant-based ingredients have been explored, their limitations in terms of protein content and antinutritional factors have hindered widespread adoption. Insects, on the other hand, offer a more suitable nutritional profile and can be raised on organic waste, reducing the environmental footprint.
Benefits of Insect Meal
Insect meal offers several advantages over traditional feed ingredients:
- High nutritional value: Insects are rich in proteins, essential amino acids, and other nutrients necessary for optimal fish growth.
- Efficient feed conversion: Insects efficiently convert feed into biomass, reducing the overall environmental impact.
- Sustainability: Insects can be raised on organic waste, minimizing the need for land, water, and energy.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Insect production typically has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional livestock farming.
Popular Insect Species for Aquaculture
Several insect species have proven suitable as aquaculture feed ingredients. Among the most commonly used are:
- Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens): Known for its efficient conversion of waste into high-quality protein.
- Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor): A versatile insect that can be raised on various substrates.
- Superworm (Zophobas morio): A larger species with similar nutritional properties to mealworms.
- Silkworms (Bombyx mori): Traditionally used for silk, their pupae can be utilized as feed.
- Housefly larvae (Musca domestica): A fast-breeding insect with high protein content.
- House cricket (Acheta domesticus): A versatile species used in both pet food and human food industries.
- Lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus): A common pest insect that can be used as a feed source.
Regulatory Landscape and Growing Acceptance
The regulatory landscape has evolved to support the use of insect meal in aquaculture. The European Union (EU) has granted approvals for insect-derived proteins in pet food, fur animals, and aquaculture. Additionally, certain insect species have been deemed safe for human consumption, further expanding their potential applications.
A Surge in Research and Development
Interest in insect meal as a replacement for fishmeal in aquaculture has skyrocketed in recent years. The number of scientific publications and research initiatives focused on this topic has grown exponentially, indicating a growing recognition of its potential benefits.
Key Findings:
- Leading Institutions and Researchers: The University of Turin emerged as a pioneer in insect meal research, and aquaculture journals published the most relevant studies. Laura Gasco, a prominent researcher in the field, made significant contributions to the body of knowledge.
- Geographical Trends: Italy and China led the way in terms of the number of publications, reflecting their active research efforts in this area.
- Positive Growth: The annual growth rate of insect meal research was impressive, indicating sustained interest and development.
Trending Research Topics
The study also identified several trending research topics within the field. These include:
- Nutritional composition and quality of insect meal: Researchers are studying the nutrient content of various insect species and their suitability for aquaculture feed.
- Processing and storage of insect meal: Studies focus on methods to improve the quality and shelf life of insect meal, particularly to enhance digestibility.
- Impact of insect meal on fish health and performance: Research is examining the effects of insect meal on fish growth, survival, and overall health.
- Economic and environmental benefits of insect meal: Studies are evaluating the potential economic and environmental advantages of using insect meal in aquaculture.
The Future of Insect Meal in Aquaculture
The findings of this study highlight the growing importance of insect meal as a sustainable and nutritious feed ingredient for aquaculture. As research continues to advance, we can expect to see even greater adoption of insect meal in the industry. This shift not only benefits the aquaculture sector but also contributes to a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Conclusion
Insect meal is poised to play a crucial role in the future of aquaculture. Its nutritional profile, environmental advantages, and increasing research interest make it a promising alternative to traditional feed ingredients. As the industry continues to explore and adopt insect meal, we can anticipate a more sustainable and efficient aquaculture sector.
Contact
Sami El Deeb
Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universitaet Braunschweig
Braunschweig, Germany
Email: s.eldeeb@tu-bs.de
Reference (open access)
N., R., Varghese, T., Jana, P., J., B. R., A., M. S., S., S., Abdullah Alrashdi, Y. B., Ibrahim, A. E., & Deeb, S. E. (2024). Current Status and Global Research Trend Patterns of Insect Meal in Aquaculture From Scientometric Perspective: (2013–2022). Aquaculture Nutrition, 2024(1), 5466604. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5466604
