Collection of ENEA technology and expertise
ProtByInsects - Agro-Food Waste Transformation into Protein for Feed and Food by Insects
For the production of protein by insects, rearing in controlled environments is used, using climatic cells with controlled temperature, ventilation and humidity. The technologies used involve the precise selection of byproducts matrices to be included in the diets and the calculation of the quantity to be used according to specific nutritional characteristics. The most suitable life phase of the insect for the intended purposes is then selected, isolation in suitable quantities and, through appropriate chemical-physical treatments, protein powders for food and feed.
Application sectors
Problem to solve
The increase of the world population to 10 billion people in 2050, and the resulting need for protein requires an immediate and sustainable solution. The technology we propose can contribute to the direct resolution of the problem of finding new protein sources, but also, indirectly, feed traditional livestock farms with high-value protein produced sustainably, reducing the costs of importing feed from abroad.
Description
The proposed solution involves the insects rearing, in particular Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus, under controlled indoor conditions, fed with diets composed of agro-food chain byproducts in appropriate percentages and the production of high-protein powders intended for human (food) and animal (feed) consumption. This allows the utilisation and valorisation of rearing by-products to obtain commercially interesting bioactive molecules and natural fertilisers/amendments for agricultural use. In this way, waste from the agro-food chain, suitably selected, can become a resource instead of a disposal problem. Finally, in full compliance with the principles of sustainability, from ‘poor' matrices it is possible to obtain biomolecules of high value and commercial interest, which can be used in various sectors: agriculture, animal feed, human nutrition, pharmaceuticals, packaging, etc.
Innovative aspects and advantages
- Cost-effectiveness
- Possibility of km 0 implementation
- Reduction of waste disposal costs
- Sustainability
Technological Maturity 4-5
Strengths
- Cost
- Social/economic relevance
- Legal/regulatory content
Admissible applications
- Reducing the environmental impact of protein production
- Sustainable production of proteins from agri-food chain waste
- Use of proteins from insects feed on agro-food chain waste
Research group involved
Patent Available for Licensing
Non disponibile per una licenza
Revision date
04-06-2025
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