Insect-based Protein Nutrition in the Aquaculture Sector: Potential, Current Situation, and Challenges

Toviho, Odunayo A. and Kovács, László and Bársony, Péter (2020) Insect-based Protein Nutrition in the Aquaculture Sector: Potential, Current Situation, and Challenges. ÁLLATTENYÉSZTÉS ÉS TAKARMÁNYOZÁS, 69 (2). pp. 142-154. ISSN 0230-1814

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Abstract

Consumption of insect protein as food as well as its use in animal feed has become a trend. The animal nutrition industry became more receptive to this trend following a publication by FAO in 2013 encouraging the use of insect protein as food and feed base on its nutrient content and environmental advantages. The trend is particularly receiving a lot of attention in animal nutrition because the current protein source of the highest quality which is fish meal, is unsustainable, expensive and in high demand. Insect protein exhibits high potential due to its protein content (comparable to soy meal and fishmeal), amino acid profile, lipid content, vitamins and mineral. The potential of insect protein is not limited to its nutritional content; it also has a low environmental impact as well as the potential to convert waste to protein mass. It has great potential in aquaculture as it forms part of the diets of fish in their natural habitat, insect protein feed is especially of great advantage in the feeding of carnivore fishes. The potential of insect protein as functional food has also been highlighted by some researches as it is shown to have an immunostimulant effect which related to the presence of chitin. The use of insect has not been without its challenges such as safety concerns, poor absorption of fat and bioavailability of protein due to the presence of high chitin content. There are also issues related to the development of an appropriate processing method. This review examines the various potentials of the use of insect protein it aquaculture, the result of insect protein feeding in different species and the challenges of the use of insect protein.

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