Abstract
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 (Tenebrio molitor) 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.
Highlights
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of undernourished people in the world increased from 783.7 million in 2014 to 804.2 million in 2016 and 820.8 million in2017 [1]
This review focuses mostly on European papers to evaluate the present state of insect farming and prospects for the production of selected species of edible insects
Our analysis shows that number of research studies on Tenebrio molitor increased in recent years, especially since 2015, when European Union defined insects as novel food
Summary
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of undernourished people in the world increased from 783.7 million in 2014 to 804.2 million in 2016 and 820.8 million in2017 [1]. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of undernourished people in the world increased from 783.7 million in 2014 to 804.2 million in 2016 and 820.8 million in. In view of climate change and the limited availability of food resources, edible insects offer a highly nutritional alternative for feed and food production [1,4,5]. The use of insects as feed and food can help reduce the present and future risk of hunger in the world [10]. Insects represent mankind’s “last great hope of saving the planet” from hunger and poverty [11]
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