With insects towards circular economy - processing of biomass side streams and waste with insects

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Clifford Nicholson
6 years ago
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Maria Tuiskula-Haavisto, Miika Tapio New innovation

1 With insects towards circular economy - processing of biomass side streams and waste with insects Johanna Vilkki, Maria Tuiskula-Haavisto, Miika Tapio New innovation ecosystems and circular solutions to boost the bioeconomy Helsinki

Insects have great potential for waste recycling

converting them into insect biomass and reducing

fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) common housefly

2 Insects have great potential for waste recycling Insect larvae naturally eat many forms of waste converting them into insect biomass and reducing the amount of waste in the process black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) common housefly (Musca domestica) yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

3 Reducing the waste burden in the EU 180 kg food is wasted annually per capita (89 million tonnes). 1,4 billion tonnes of manure produced annually. organic waste is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon and other nutrients but current systems do not recapture them efficiently or economically. This waste is suitable raw material for rearing insect larvae, to reduce waste mass and recapture a significant amount of the nutrients

Reducing the waste burden BSF larvae can reduce manure mass by more than 50% and re-capture up to 70% of phosphorus and 50% of nitrogen, and at the same time reduce

4 Reducing the waste burden BSF larvae can reduce manure mass by more than 50% and re-capture up to 70% of phosphorus and 50% of nitrogen, and at the same time reduce pathogenic bacteria Mealworms (their gut bacteria) are capable of biodegradation and mineralization of polystyrene (styrofoam) Yang Y et al. 2015; Environ Sci Technol

as an alternative, sustainable feed component Aquaculture is the fastest growing food

5 Perspectives for use: filling the protein deficit Europe imports 70% of the protein used for animal feed Larval protein extract is superior to soybean and could be used as an alternative, sustainable feed component Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector Insects are a natural component of diets for fish and poultry

Restrictions for use in the food chain Current legislation does not allow use of insects as protein source for livestock feeds Allowed: use in pet food, extracted lipids in animal feed, whole insects

6 Restrictions for use in the food chain Current legislation does not allow use of insects as protein source for livestock feeds Allowed: use in pet food, extracted lipids in animal feed, whole insects (also live) Insect protein allowed ( ) for fish feed if larvae grown on plant-based material For food in the EU: - currently use of whole insects allowed - insects fall within the novel food regulation from 2018 each product containing insects needs to apply for authorization

- digestate rich in essential nutrients - added benefit as a natural biopesticide / biological defense

7 Potential value added outside the food chain Larval organic waste residue and biomass would have many uses with economic value outside the food chain Frass, organic fertilizer to enrich soil and hydroponic systems - digestate rich in essential nutrients - added benefit as a natural biopesticide / biological defense (micro-organisms, chitin) High lipid content (up to 35%) -> for cosmetics or energy industry, biofuel

8 Potential value added Chitin (5 % of larvae dry matter) or chitosan with potential for a wide spectrum of uses in medicine, cosmetics, textiles and food industry Table 4. - adapted from Hamed et al 2106, Trends in Food Sci & Tech

10 Research themes for each case

11 Ongoing research projects at Luke Novel protein sources for food security, ScenoProt - Strategic Research Council Insect part: side-stream evaluation, legislative issues Insects in the food chain UTU; Tekes, companies (Biotus Oy, Entocube Oy, Pohjolan hyönteistalous Oy, Raisioagro Oy, HKScan Oyj, Kronfågel Oy, Clewer Technology Oy, Gala Mare Oy, Leader Foods Oy, Saarioinen Oy) - Processing, feeding trials (fish, poultry), consumer study Safe and sustainable domestic feed for insects from bio-economy side-streams - UEF; Makera funding Feeding trials: mealworms, crickets

12 Insects in Circular Economy - PPP initiative by Luke Management of biowaste in circular economy Customized methodologies for use of different side-streams by insects, priority use of material -> optimization of operations Public Private Partnership model Luke funds 50% and value chain stakeholder companies the other 50% Luke conducts the research and practical work Companies have the first refusal right for IPR Scientific publication by Luke

13 Thank you! Thank you!

Insects as feed Suitability and nutritional value Species Safety

Insects as feed Suitability and nutritional value Species Safety Insects in the Food Chain -seminar 2nd event of the NICE network - Turku, Finland 29.8.2017 Legislation concerning insects as animal feed Tarja Root, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Feed Section Insects