The mealworm, the insect from which four high-value products for human consumption will be extracted

2023-07-17 13:49:05

Researchers from the University of Vigo, within the framework of the BioproInsect project, have managed through an enzymatic process to extract four different products from the same insect, known as ‘mealworm’. The objective behind the research was to study new methods for extracting chitin, a type of carbohydrate that would make it possible to obtain products of greater economic value in a more efficient and sustainable way.

As detailed on the project website, through the bioprocessing of this worm (‘Tenebrio molitor’), the insects are divided into three products with high added value: high-quality and easily digestible proteins, fatty acids and antivirals. All these elements are especially in demand by sectors such as the cosmetic or pharmaceutical industry, but also by others such as the agri-food industry, which allows a reduction in expenses.

The interest behind this research is linked to the increase in demand for this type of product. There are more than 1,900 species of edible insects in the world, although the most widely used in the production of food for humans are still crickets, black soldier fly larvae, and also mealworms. In fact, currently, there are only four species of insects authorized for consumption in the European Union.

These types of invertebrates are used in their larval phase, since upon reaching their adult phase they have a high level of chitin, which makes digestion difficult in humans. That is why, when they grow, they are not discarded, but rather continue to be used with the aim of laying eggs and continuing reproduction.

Integrated by the BiotecnIA group

The group of researchers also developed two technologies: one through enzyme treatment and the other through fermentation, which turned out to be successful in the tests carried out within the framework of the initiative.

The project was integrated by the BiotecnIA group of the University of Vigo. In fact, part of the research was carried out in the facilities of the Campus Agua (Ourense) of this university. They also participated in the Galinsect project, an insect farm specializing in the breeding and marketing of insects, and Feuga, a Galician foundation linked to the technological, social and economic development of this community.

BioproInsect, which had a budget of more than 180,000 euros, was financed by the Department of Rural Affairs of the Xunta and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with co-financing from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER).