Conventional Protein Sources Research Articles

HARNESSING MARINE INVERTEBRATES: THE EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES OF COLLAGEN

Marine resources offer a sustainable alternative to conventional protein and nutrient sources with marine collagen playing an important role in functional foods and nutritional supplements. Collagen from marine invertebrates is widely used in the food industry, pharmaceutical products, and biomedical applications. The aim of this study is to study the techniques used to extract collagen from various marine invertebrates. Marine collagen is a structural protein characterised by a helical structure composed of amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Collagen comprises of 28 different types but only four types: Type I, II, III, and IV have always been studied. Type I is obtained from skin, tendon, and bone, meanwhile Type II is obtained from tissues of vitreous body, cartilage, and nucleus pulposus. Type III is obtained from the vessel walls and reticular fibres of lungs, spleen, and liver and Type IV is obtained from basement membranes. The extraction of marine collagen involves three stages: Pretreatment, extraction, and recovery. Several marine collagen extraction techniques are commonly used, including acid soluble collagen, pepsin soluble collagen, carbon dioxide acidified water, and alkaline denaturing procedures. Different extraction methods produce collagen yields with varying chemical compositions and characteristics. All of the extraction processes are ethical and environmentally friendly.

Advancing Food Security with Farmed Edible Insects: Economic, Social, and Environmental Aspects.

Farmed edible insects are considered a potential resource to help address food security concerns toward the year 2050. The sustainability (e.g., lower environmental impact), nutritional (e.g., high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, fiber, unsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals) and health (e.g., antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory) benefits are the main reasons for the rise in interest for insects as alternative protein sources for food and feed production. Thus, edible insects can address the future global protein demand of an ever-increasing world population. In this context, several aspects related to their sustainability have been explored and addressed from an environmental perspective. This review describes the rationale for using insects as alternative protein sources and provides a comprehensive viewpoint, integrating economic, environmental, and social aspects into their sustainability framework toward addressing food insecurity concerns. For example, edible insects offer a more sustainable protein source comparable to, or even better than, that of conventional livestock. Considering their sustainability advantages, insects are noted for their lower impact on natural resources (e.g., water and agrarian land) and lower greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., carbon dioxide and methane). From a socioeconomic point of view, edible insects have lower production costs compared to conventional animal protein sources because of their high feed efficiency conversion, rapid growth rate, and short life cycles. Currently, the market for edible, farmed insects is becoming a significant economic activity that not only meets the needs of industry and consumers but also supports the ability of future generations to maintain a secure and sustainable community.

Inclusion of amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) as a protein source in the di-ets of lactating dairy goats

Objective: To determine the productive performance and milk quality of goats, including two levels of popped amaranth in their diet. Methodology: Forty-five lactating goats, randomly distributed into three groups of 15, were studied. Each group was allocated a treatment that matched the isoenergetic and isoproteic diets with increasing percentages of popped amaranth grain, in replacement of soybean meal: T1, 0%; T2, 20%; and T3, 30%. Data were collected across three intervals during the 45-day experimental period. Milk production was recorded, along with its crude protein (CP), fat, and total solids (TS) content. Results: Milk production differed significantly (p<0.05) between treatments, increasing as the amount of amaranth in the diet increased, with values of 1.35, 1.38, and 1.65 kg d⁻¹ for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Milk composition did not record any difference between treatments, with averages of 28.07, 32.89, and 113.7 g kg⁻¹ of milk for crude protein (CP), fat, and total solids (TS), respectively. Study Limitations/Implications: Given the exploratory nature of this study, determining the functional components of milk is required to complement the study. Conclusions: Amaranth grain can be used as a protein source in animal feed. Including 30% of amaranth in the diet of dairy goats has been proven to increase production compared to conventional protein sources. However, no changes were observed in the main milk components.

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Used as Functional Feed Supplement or Alternative Protein Source: A Review of the Effects of Different Dietary Inclusion Levels on Production Performance, Health Status, and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens.

The broiler industry is pivotal in meeting the growing global demand for highly nutritious animal protein foods. Hence, there is a continuous interest in identifying novel, alternative, and even unconventional feed resources that could help sustainably support chicken meat production and quality. In this view, the microalga Spirulina (Arthrospira, formerly Spirulina, platensis), due to its unique chemical composition and some ecological advantages offered by its cultivation over traditional agriculture, has attracted great attention in the poultry sector for potential application in broiler diets, either as a functional supplement or a replacer of conventional protein sources such as soybean meal. The studies conducted so far seem to have confirmed many of the initial expectations regarding the advantages that may derive from dietary Spirulina supplementation, documenting its capacity to positively influence the intestinal and general health status of broiler chickens, leading to improved or preserved productive performance (under normal or challenging conditions, respectively), as well as to increased disease resistance and survivability. Furthermore, dietary Spirulina supplementation has been shown to induce positive changes in some important traits of broiler meat quality. However, at present, the inclusion of Spirulina in broiler diet, especially but not solely in relation to the use as an alternative protein source, presents several technical and economic limitations. To increase the overall awareness around the actual usefulness and practical usability of Spirulina as a novel natural component of the broiler diet, this review paper seeks to provide a comprehensive and integrated presentation of what is currently known about this topic, highlighting critical issues that are still pending and would require further research efforts.

FOSTERING ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCE THROUGH CATFISH FLOSS PRODUCTION IN WEST JAKARTA

This community empowerment program seeks to stimulate economic growth in Meruya Selatan, West Jakarta, by promoting the production of catfish floss, a product that aligns with both environmental sustainability and market expansion goals. The initiative capitalizes on locally available catfish, promoting sustainable practices by minimizing waste and offering an alternative to conventional protein sources. The program is designed to train participants in key areas such as efficient production methods, preserving product quality, packaging, and marketing strategies, all aimed at making catfish floss a competitive product in both local and regional markets. The main objectives include boosting household income, increasing consumer awareness of fish-based products, and fostering the growth of local businesses through skill development. The project employed a comprehensive approach involving initial surveys, educational seminars, hands-on training, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the training. As a result, participants have gained valuable food processing skills, contributing not only to their economic well-being but also to local food security and sustainable business practices. This initiative successfully demonstrates the potential for community-driven efforts to support both economic development and environmental stewardship.

Organoleptic characteristics of high-protein snacks with novel and sustainable ingredients: Cricket flour and carob powder.

To fulfill consumer trends in sustainable and healthy food choices, this study explored the application of edible insects and carob powder as sustainable and nutritious ingredients in developing a high-protein snack, known as a protein ball. Four formulations were developed and characterized in terms of moisture content, water activity, color, texture, microbial count, and nutritional profile. Finally, the sensory profile was determined using the flash profile method, and the developed product was compared to a commercial product. The effect of replacing the conventional protein source with cricket flour and cocoa with its sustainable alternative, carob, on the measured characteristics was determined. The results showed that cricket flour significantly decreased the lightness color values (from 40 to 30) on the internal surface of the protein ball. Texture remained largely unaffected initially; however, after 2 weeks of storage, cricket flour significantly decreased the hardness (from 15 to 12 N) and chewiness values (from 1.6 to 1.0 N mm). Moreover, cricket flour significantly increased the aerobic count (from 3-4 log to 5 log cfu g-1). The sensory space of the cricket samples was separated from the milk protein samples, mainly related to flavor attributes, while the commercial sample was distinguished by dryness and sweetness. In general, carob powder did not affect the measured parameters compared to cocoa. This study demonstrated the suitability of utilizing cricket flour and carob powder in a high-protein snack without substantially compromising the product's organoleptic properties. Future research could investigate the consumer acceptability of the product.

Analysing the effects of feeding black soldier fly on broiler growth performance: a meta-analysis

Context The black soldier fly has been found to be a rich protein source, containing high amounts of protein and lipids, making them a valuable and sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources, such as fish and soybean meals, for broilers, which has also been demonstrated by multiple studies. Aims A meta-analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed published research on the use of black soldier flies in poultry diets to test the hypothesis that it enhances growth performance as a sustainable alternative to plant-based protein sources. Methods To this end, we used publicly available databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Embase) to identify peer-reviewed papers. Retrieved articles were screened for relevance and quality using established criteria. The studies were largely rejected due to non-reporting of variance measures or reporting pooled measures of variance that could not be used. As a result, eight studies were used to extract data for growth performance, including body weight gain. Key results The meta-analysis showed that the effect of feeding black soldier fly meals on body weight gain was non-significant. However, the subgroup analysis showed that utilisation of the frozen form of the black soldier fly lowers body weight gain compared with the birds fed basal diets. Furthermore, the feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced when the broilers were fed with diets containing black soldier fly meals. The feed conversion ratio showed non-significant (P > 0.05) differences with the supplementation. Conclusions The inclusion level of black soldier fly larvae meal in any form was seen to be safe up to 10%, and the effective duration of the supplementation was ≤35 days. Implications The utilisation of black soldier fly as a sustainable protein source should be encouraged to facilitate farmers in terms of being less dependent on soybean meal, as well as to reduce the competition between humans and animals for plant protein sources.

Influence of pH and salt conditions on extraction efficiency and functional properties of Macrotermes nigeriensis protein concentrate for food applications

The search for alternative proteins from non-conventional sources for food processing has become important due to the shortage of conventional protein sources. Protein extractability from Macrotermes nigeriensis and its functional properties were investigated under various conditions of pH (2–10) and salt concentration (0.1–1.0 M). Extracted proteins were precipitated through pH adjustment and micellization, respectively. Results showed that maximum protein extractability was 68% and 62.1% at 0.5 M salt concentration and pH10.0, respectively. Salt-extracted protein-rich fraction (SP) had the highest protein composition (68.68 ± 0.41 g/100 g), seconded by alkaline-extracted protein-rich fraction (AP) (62.91 ± 0.53 g/100 g), compared with the raw and defatted fraction (34.36 ± 0.44 and 42.12 ± 0.15 g/100 g), respectively. The highest emulsion capacity (49%) and emulsion stability (35%) were recorded in alkaline pH 10.0. In comparison, the highest foaming capacity (24%) and foaming stability (16%) were recorded in the salt-extracted fraction at 6%. This information could be useful for further studies on the food application potential of proteins isolated from edible M. nigeriensis.Graphical

Additive effects of Bridelia ferruginea leaf meal as a partial replacement for soybean meal on nutrients digestibility, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits

BackgroundProtein is a crucial nutrient for enhancing livestock performance and productivity, traditionally sourced from soybean and fish meal. However, issues like erratic availability and rising prices necessitate exploring alternative protein sources. Tropical plants, especially leaf meals, are being considered to replace or supplement conventional protein sources in rabbit diets. Bridelia ferruginea, a plant abundant in West Africa, is recognized for its medicinal properties, but its potential as an animal feed is largely unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the impact of graded levels of Bridelia ferruginea leaf meal (BFLM) as a partial substitute for soybean meal in the diets of weaner rabbits.Materials and methodsThe experiment was conducted at the Animal Science Department of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. BFLM was obtained by air-drying harvested leaves and milling them. Four diets were formulated, with BFLM partially replacing soybean meal at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Representative samples of BFLM and all formulated diets were analyzed for their proximate composition and detergent fibre fractions. Twenty-four weaner rabbits were assigned to these diets in a Completely Randomized Design. The study covered a 10-week period, assessing growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, and economics of production.ResultsThe chemical composition of BFLM revealed favorable attributes for rabbit feeding, with 20.5% crude protein and 92.6% dry matter. Growth performance declined at 30% BFLM inclusion, indicating a possible impact of anti-nutritional factors. Feed conversion ratio increased at higher BFLM levels. Nutrient digestibility showed a decline in dry matter digestibility at 30% BFLM. Carcass characteristics were affected at higher BFLM levels, with dressing percentage decreasing. Weights of internal organs were generally not negatively affected by the inclusion of BFLM. Economic analysis indicated a linear reduction in feed cost with increasing BFLM inclusion.ConclusionThe study suggests that BFLM can be incorporated up to 20% in weaner rabbit diets without compromising productivity, nutrient digestibility, or dressing percentage. Beyond 20%, adverse effects on growth performance and some carcass characteristics were observed. Economically, BFLM incorporation up to 20% lowered feed costs without compromising feed efficiency. Incorporation of BFLM up to 20% in weaner rabbit diets had no adverse effects on the weights and functions of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Overall, BFLM presents a promising alternative protein source for weaner rabbit diets, contributing to cost-effective and sustainable livestock production.

PRODUCTION OF INSECT-BASED PROTEIN MEAL AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL SOURCES IN LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES

Predictions suggest that by 2050, the global population will be more than 9 billion people, leading to a potential 70% surge in the demand for animal proteins. The production of poultry incurs a significant cost, with about 70–75% attributed to feed expenses. Producers in developing nations, such as Nigeria, grapple with challenges stemming from the high prices of protein and energy-rich feed ingredients, impacting the overall cost and pricing of poultry feeds. The high prices and limited availability of conventional feed ingredients especially fish meal (FM) and soybean meal (SBM) underscore the need for sustainable alternatives with comparable amino acid profile most especially lysine and methionine. In this context, exploring alternative and cost-effective sources of animal protein becomes crucial for mitigating production overheads. One promising avenue involves the integration of insects, particularly the black soldier fly (BSF), into poultry diets. The BSF is unlike other insect species that are lethal and pathogenic; and it is well-suited for large-scale industrial manufacturing of livestock feed. Livestock meals derived from BSF larvae (BSFL) present a reliable, economical, and highly nutritious alternative to traditional animal protein sources. The BSF larvae proteins is a prospective alternative to the conventional protein sources. Integrating BSFL into poultry production systems emerges as a promising strategy to enhance sustainability, waste management, circular bioeconomy (re-use, recycle), low-cost alternative to fish meal, mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) emission and positive impact on the health and welfare of poultry species.

Structural, techno‐functional and nutraceutical properties of lentil proteins – a concise review

SummaryLentil is one of the major pulses consumed in many parts of the world. Lentil proteins comprise primarily three fractions, viz. globulins, albumins and glutelins, each having distinct structural and functional characteristics. The secondary structure of lentil proteins is characterised by a predominance of β‐sheets, which occur in proportions up to 63% in the fractions. Protein isolates, in comparison, have up to 40% random coils, 38% sheets, 36% turns and 33% helix. Lentil proteins contain most essential amino acids, while albumins and glutelins have relatively higher content of lysine, methionine, histidine, threonine and branched‐chain amino acids. Amongst globulin proteins, vicilins have a more balanced amino acid composition than legumins. Lentil proteins also exhibit techno‐functional properties (foaming and emulsification, water and fat absorption and gelation) and may also serve as a potential source of active proteins/peptides, which make them an attractive alternative to conventional protein sources.

Recent Developments in the Application of Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus oryzae in Ruminant Feed.

The resource-intensive nature of the ruminant farming sector, which has been exacerbated by population growth and increasing pressure to reduce feed antibiotics and growth promoters, has sparked interest in looking for sustainable alternative feed sources to enhance ruminant production efficiency. Edible filamentous fungi, rich in macronutrients like proteins, offer promise in reducing the reliance on conventional protein sources and antimicrobials to improve feed quality and animal performance. The inclusion of single-cell proteins, particularly filamentous fungi, in ruminant feed has long been of scientific and industrial interest. This review focuses on the potential application of the extensively studied Aspergillus oryzae and its fermentation extracts in ruminant nutrition. It provides an overview of conventional ruminant feed ingredients, supplements, and efficiency. Additionally, this review analyzes the re-utilization of organic residues for A. oryzae cultivation and examines the effects of adding fungal extracts to ruminant feed on ruminal digestibility and animal performance, all within a circular bioeconomy framework.

Growth characteristics and molecular identification of indigenous Limnospira strains from Ethiopian soda lakes as a protein source

Malnutrition poses a significant global challenge in regions such as Ethiopia, particularly in children with limited dietary diversity. Arthrospira, a protein-rich cyanobacterium known for its rapid growth even under extreme conditions, is a promising solution for biomass production. This study addresses knowledge gaps in the morphological characterization and taxonomic classification of Arthrospira by focusing on precise species identification and strategic strain selection for optimal biomass production. Cyanobacterial strains were cultivated in a modified Spirulina Ogawa Terui medium at 35 °C under the photosynthetically active radiation of 160 μmol photons m−2 s−1 with a 12/12 h light/dark period in laboratory conditions. One hundred Arthrospira-like strains were isolated and characterized based on their morphological attributes according to accepted criteria, from Ethiopian soda lakes. Systematic evaluation of the growth rate comparison test identified four exceptionally fast-growing strains, with LC-30 exhibiting the highest dry weight (3.27 ± 0.51 g L˗1) and specific growth rate (1.63 ± 0.05 d˗1) among them. DNA analysis confirmed that all four examined strains belong to the Limnospira genus, specifically identified as Limnospira fusiformis. LC-30 and LA-08 demonstrated protein and phycocyanin levels (582.80 ± 0.07 and 557.90 ± 0.09 mg g˗1, respectively) comparable to those reported for Arthrospira platensis, and surpassing conventional protein sources, thus suggesting their potential for nutritional supplementation. The study highlights the importance of bioprospecting indigenous strains from soda lakes, revealing promising candidates for large-scale biomass production.

Cajanus cajan and Lablab purpureus leaf meal-potential supplements over conventional protein sources for yearling Horro sheep fed a basal diet of fodder oat (Avena sativa) hay

A 90-day feeding trial with 25 yearling Horro lambs (22.6 ± 1.8 kg) was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023. The trial was designed to see how supplementing forage varieties of Cajanus cajan (Degagsa and Belabas) and Lablab purpureus (Beresa-55 and Gebis-17) affected the growth performance, feed intake and digestibility of Horro lambs fed a basal diet of fodder oat hay compared to conventional protein supplements. Five experimental sheep per treatment were arranged in a Randomized Complete Blocked Design to receive dietary treatments formulated on an iso-nitrogenous basis which was targeted to provide crude protein (CP) of 64.37 g/h/day. Data were taken on weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake and refusal, and in-vivo digestibility features. All lambs were fed ad-libitum fodder oat hay containing 91.5 % Dry matter, 7.8 % ash, 6.4 % crude protein, 60 % neutral detergent fiber, 42.8 % acid detergent fiber, 13.4 % acid detergent lignin and 65 % in-vitro organic matter digestibility. The dietary treatments were fodder oat hay plus 280.8 g Gebis-17 variety (T1), 274.4 g Beresa-55 variety (T2), 320.9 g Belabas variety (T3), 329.3 g Degagsa variety (T4) and 300 g concentrate mixture (T5). The total dry matter intake (DMI) was higher in T3 and T4 than in the other treatment groups. Except for CP, nutritional consumption differed significantly across treatments. T3 and T4 had higher fiber intakes than the other treatments, while T2 had higher ash intakes and T5 had higher metabolizable energy intakes. Even though there was no significant variation in final body weight, lambs in T5 and T1 showed the greatest weight change and average daily gain. Although the diet in T5 induced the lamb performance in a manner comparable to that of the other dietary supplements, its inaccessibility and high cost would limit the use of such supplements by smallholder farmers. Thus, depending on their availability, either Lablab purpurues or Cajanus cajan varieties could be employed as feed supplements in the lambs` diet.

Bioelectrochemical protein production valorising NH3-rich pig manure-derived wastewater and CO2 from anaerobic digestion

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cell use is an innovative approach for single-cell proteins (SCP) production. Coupling MES with the valorization of CO2 from anaerobic digestion and nitrogen from livestock effluents has beneficial environmental effects, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen overloading. In addition, the reducing power needed can come from surplus renewable energy. In this study, MES with a biochar-functionalized cathode was tested at varying polarizations, i.e. non polarized, −0.6 V and −1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl, and biogas-derived CO2 and recovered ammonia from pig slurry was supplied.Negative polarization switched the microbial community from heterotrophic, typical of unpolarized MES, to a mix of both heterotrophic and autotrophic/electrotrophic communities at −0.6 V and to mainly autotrophic/electrotrophic at −1.0 V. The more negative polarization allowed the highest CO2 and N capture, i.e. 39 ± 2 % of the supplied CO2, and 6.7 ± 0.8 % supplied N. Microbial biomass characterization indicated a protein content on dry matter basis of 33.1 ± 1.3 % (unpolarized), 43.2 ± 0.6 % (−0.6 V) and 69.1 ± 1.0 % (−1.0 V). The amino acids profiles investigated showed a high nutritional value of the produced biomass, not far from those of conventional protein sources used for producing feed/food.

The Existence of Macroalgae in Indonesia: Unlocking the Nutritive Potential for Sustainable Beef Production

Abstract Assessment of the existence of macroalgae and revealing the chemical composition to investigate the potential usage for feed to support sustainable beef production has been conducted in Indonesian prominent livestock production area specifically Lombok, Bali, Yogyakarta, Lampung and Bengkulu. These regions host numerous seaweed production centres, while others hold the capacity to develop into seaweed cultivation zones. To assess the existence, utilisation, and accessibility of macroalgae in each region, observations and interviews were conducted. Subsequently, dominant macroalgae species were sampled and subjected to proximate analysis to determine their nutritional profiles. The results showed that the dominant macroalgae observed included red algae (Rhodophyta) like Eucheuma sp., Gracilaria sp., and Acanthophora sp., green algae (Chlorophyta) such as Ulva sp. and Caulerpa sp., and the brown alga (Phaeophyta) Sargassum sp. The dominant macroalgae found in all five observation sites with high abundance were Sargassum sp., Gracilaria sp., and Eucheuma cottonii. Ulva sp. and Eucheuma spinosum were present at four sites, while Acanthophora sp. and Caulerpa sp. were found at three sites. The dry matter content of the macroalgae ranged from 9.92% to 17.01%, with the highest values observed in the Eucheuma group (14.11%-17.01%). This was followed by Sargassum sp. (12.55 ± 2.40%), Ulva sp. (12.28 ± 2.33%), and Gracilaria sp. (11.09 ± 3.79%). Caulerpa sp. exhibited the lowest dry matter content (9.92 ± 1.29%). The crude protein (CP) content varied both within and between groups of algae species and observation sites. Gracilaria sp. exhibited the highest CP content (13.55 ± 0.16%), followed by Caulerpa sp. (11.87 ± 2.22%), Sargassum sp. (8.98 ± 0.42%), and Ulva sp. (6.98 ± 0.94%). The mineral content of the macroalgae was noticeably high, which is reflected in the low organic matter content. Ulva sp. had the highest organic matter content (80.17%), followed by Sargassum sp. (70.55%), Gracilaria sp. (66.53%), Caulerpa sp. (47.61%), and Eucheuma cottonii (43.50%). The readily available seaweed in this study tend to exhibit moderate to high protein and mineral content, making it a promising partial replacement or supplement for conventional feed, potentially contributing to sustainable beef production. Gracilaria sp., the most readily available seaweed, high in nutrient content with the potential to partially replace conventional feed protein sources. Its abundance of vitamins and minerals may enrich the overall value of the feed.

Haemato-biochemical parameters of lambs fed tannin containing Daniellia oliveri seed meal based diet

Abstract This study investigated the effect of replacement of conventional protein source groundnut cake (GNC) with toasted-decorticated Daniellia oliveri seed meal (DSM) on haemato-biochemical parameters of lambs. Twenty intact 6-month-old lambs were used in an 84-day experiment. The animals were randomly divided into four treatments containing 0, 25, 50 and 75% DSM replacement levels for GNC. Five animals were randomly allotted to one of dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. The concentrates were formulated to have similar (P>0.05) CP of 181.0 g/kg DM on average. All the other nutrients in the formulated supplements were significantly different (P<0.05). There were increases in levels of organic matter (924.9–961.00 g/kg DM), non-fibre carbohydrates (238.03–329.36 g/kg DM) as well as condensed tannins, as the level of inclusion of DSM in the concentrate diet increased. Packed cell volume, white blood cell, lymphocytes, serum urea and glucose linearly increased (P<0.05) but mean corpuscular haemaoglobin concentration linearly decreased (P<0.05) while other haematological and serum parameters were similar among diets. Blood parameters were within established ranges for healthy sheep. The results indicate that tannins containing Daniellia oliveri seed meal can be incorporated up to 75% without compromising body immunity system and health of the animals.

Which are the most promising protein sources for meat alternatives?

Meat alternatives have the potential to shift people’s diets into a more sustainable direction. To improve consumers’ attitudes to meat alternatives and increase the likelihood of their consumption, it is important to identify the most promising protein sources from a consumer perspective. This study investigated expectations toward 17 specific protein sources applied in meat alternatives and four conventional animal-based protein sources across six rating dimensions in an online survey with 916 participants from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Additionally, several relevant consumer characteristics, namely food neophobia, health consciousness, preference for naturalness, environmental identity, and consumers’ attitudes to meat and meat alternatives, were assessed. Meat alternatives containing potato, lentil, chickpea, and pea achieved the highest acceptance scores. Other protein sources, such as algae, insects, and different types of cultured meat, did not achieve high acceptance. Multiple regressions were used to investigate further the influence of consumer characteristics. For different types of protein sources, different consumer characteristics were identified as barriers, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing groups of consumers and types of protein sources. The study also showed that people’s commitment to meat has no influence on their acceptance of alternative proteins; rather, negative attitudes to meat alternatives are the problem. Future efforts should therefore focus on optimizing the properties of meat alternatives, instead of demonizing the consumption of meat. One way to optimize the acceptance of meat alternatives is to use ingredients that consumers already have positive expectations toward, such as potato, lentil, chickpea, and pea.

Consumers´ willingness to pay for snacks enriched with insects: A trending and sustainable protein source

High-protein snacks appeal to consumers seeking to increase the protein intake in their diet. The high environmental impact of conventional protein sources is urging the need to explore more sustainable alternatives such as edible insects. In this study, the willingness to pay for yogurt enriched with insect protein was estimated. It also determined the effect of socio-demographics and extrinsic product attributes on the purchase decision and expenditure using the Heckman sample selection model. Data was collected through an online survey from 1,909 consumers in Catalonia, Spain using Qualtrics´ consumer panel. The results showed that 55.7% of the participants were willing to purchase the product and that the average premium price computed was 0.36€ or 24% extra compared to the conventional price of yogurt. Findings also revealed that the probability of purchasing yogurt enriched with insect protein increases with younger adults, male consumers, residing in rural areas, having a child member in the family unit, and an active employment situation. Moreover, expenditure increases when the importance of the local and ecological attributes of food is higher, while lower for the price attribute. The results of this study offer food producers valuable insights into consumers’ willingness to pay for novel protein snacks.

Comparison of Inclusion of Skimmed Milk and Edible Insects on the Nutritional, Sensory and Microbial Qualities of Enriched High Energy Rice Biscuits

Aims: The growing world population, carbon foot prints of rearing conventional protein sources, issues of protein malnutrition (particularly in developing nations) and the urgent needs of protein-rich food relief materials in crisis situations may necessitate the utilisation of underutilised sustainable, nutritious protein sources. The study was conducted to investigate the possibility of using indigenous food crops and substituting milk powder with edible insects’ powder as a sustainable alternative protein source in high energy rice biscuits.
 Study Design: Biscuits were produced following the standard USAID recipe for HEB and comparisons were made with the insect biscuits and STD.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, between January 2018 and August 2018.
 Methodology: The high energy biscuits was evaluated for proximate composition, total sugars using Anthrone reagent, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), physical properties such as spread ratio, weight, width etc. Microbial and sensory quality of the biscuits were also determined using standard methods.
 Results: From the findings of the study, rice biscuits with silkworm pupae had outstanding protein (12.76 g/100 g), fat (15.78 g/100 g) and energy (451.38 Kcal/100 g) contents while biscuit with migratory locust powder had slightly higher total ash and CHO. The spread ratios of the biscuits were within acceptable range. In terms of mineral composition, all the insect biscuits were significantly superior to the milk biscuit except for calcium. However, all the rice HEB exceeded the minimum USAID specifications for nutritive elements. The insect biscuits had more than quadruple the recommended pro-vitamin A content (1200. 67 and 2390.05 μg/100 g) and impressive amounts of vitamin C (94.19 and 52.39 mg/100 g). The microbial assessment revealed HEB with remarkable quality signifying wholesome raw materials and hygienic sample preparation. All samples received good sensorial ranking, but HEB with migratory locust was preferred.
 Conclusion: The results demonstrated that edible insects could serve as alternative protein source in the production of a nutritious high energy biscuit with good organoleptic and microbiological qualities.