Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe?
Continued population growth could lead to protein deficiency in the human diet. To counteract this risk, attempts are being made to identify new edible sources of protein. The aim of this paper was to review the existing literature and to analyse the current state of yellow mealworm (<i>Tenebr...
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doaj-72f4891596d2413d9779a93bf4c785be2021-04-02T12:47:14ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722020-06-011023323310.3390/agriculture10060233Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe?Anna Bordiean0Michał Krzyżaniak1Mariusz J. Stolarski2Stanisław Czachorowski3Dumitru Peni4Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Production, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-724 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Plant Breeding and Seed Production, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-724 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Plant Breeding and Seed Production, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-724 Olsztyn, PolandContinued population growth could lead to protein deficiency in the human diet. To counteract this risk, attempts are being made to identify new edible sources of protein. The aim of this paper was to review the existing literature and to analyse the current state of yellow mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) rearing for food and feed, especially in Europe. The yellow mealworm is the most widely bred and traded insect species in Europe that has high feed conversion ratio; 3.4 to 6.1 kg of feed ingested per kg of harvested larvae. Mealworms could compete with livestock due to their high protein and fat content and low environmental impact. Mealworms have been extensively researched as a source of feed for animals, including poultry, fish, pets and birds. Its nutrient content depends on the processing method, where thermal processing is least desirable. Mealworms are characterised by a high and variable microbial load which has to be reduced before consumption. The antibiotics, pesticides and other substances should also be analysed to ensure that mealworms are a safe protein source for human consumption. The nutritional benefits of mealworms have to be communicated to European consumers who are generally averse to eating insects.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/6/233Tenebrio molitorfood and feedsafety aspectsnutritional valueinsects rearingconsumer attitudes |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Anna Bordiean Michał Krzyżaniak Mariusz J. Stolarski Stanisław Czachorowski Dumitru Peni |
spellingShingle |
Anna Bordiean Michał Krzyżaniak Mariusz J. Stolarski Stanisław Czachorowski Dumitru Peni Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe? Agriculture Tenebrio molitor food and feed safety aspects nutritional value insects rearing consumer attitudes |
author_facet |
Anna Bordiean Michał Krzyżaniak Mariusz J. Stolarski Stanisław Czachorowski Dumitru Peni |
author_sort |
Anna Bordiean |
title |
Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe? |
title_short |
Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe? |
title_full |
Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe? |
title_fullStr |
Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe? |
title_full_unstemmed |
Will Yellow Mealworm Become A Source of Safe Proteins for Europe? |
title_sort |
will yellow mealworm become a source of safe proteins for europe? |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Agriculture |
issn |
2077-0472 |
publishDate |
2020-06-01 |
description |
Continued population growth could lead to protein deficiency in the human diet. To counteract this risk, attempts are being made to identify new edible sources of protein. The aim of this paper was to review the existing literature and to analyse the current state of yellow mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) rearing for food and feed, especially in Europe. The yellow mealworm is the most widely bred and traded insect species in Europe that has high feed conversion ratio; 3.4 to 6.1 kg of feed ingested per kg of harvested larvae. Mealworms could compete with livestock due to their high protein and fat content and low environmental impact. Mealworms have been extensively researched as a source of feed for animals, including poultry, fish, pets and birds. Its nutrient content depends on the processing method, where thermal processing is least desirable. Mealworms are characterised by a high and variable microbial load which has to be reduced before consumption. The antibiotics, pesticides and other substances should also be analysed to ensure that mealworms are a safe protein source for human consumption. The nutritional benefits of mealworms have to be communicated to European consumers who are generally averse to eating insects. |
topic |
Tenebrio molitor food and feed safety aspects nutritional value insects rearing consumer attitudes |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/6/233 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT annabordiean willyellowmealwormbecomeasourceofsafeproteinsforeurope AT michałkrzyzaniak willyellowmealwormbecomeasourceofsafeproteinsforeurope AT mariuszjstolarski willyellowmealwormbecomeasourceofsafeproteinsforeurope AT stanisławczachorowski willyellowmealwormbecomeasourceofsafeproteinsforeurope AT dumitrupeni willyellowmealwormbecomeasourceofsafeproteinsforeurope |
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