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Submitted to: Adjacent Government UK Magazine
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2015 Publication Date: 9/7/2015 Citation: Rojas, M.G., Morales Ramos, J.A., Grodowitz, M.J. 2015. Insect biomass to enhance food production. Adjacent Government UK Magazine. 1 page. Interpretive Summary: Studies on nutritional value and mass production of insects indicate that hose flies, soldier flies, meal worms, silkworms, and crickets are suitable as supplement for animal feed and crickets and meal worms for human food. Here, we report ARS research to improve these production methods. Technical Abstract: Studies have established that insects are as good source of protein as conventional animal food (between 15 and 67% dry weight content). Insects are a good source of essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Insect fat has a higher content of polyunsaturated (essential) fatty acids and a lower content of saturated fat than beef and pork. Omega-3 fatty acid content in some grasshopper species is comparable to that present in salmon and tuna. Meal worms have the additional advantage of being produced commercially in large quantities in many countries around the world. |
