Welcome back dear readers of this prestigious platform, the energy and food issue has come to the forefront in these times of pandemic, due to the demands we have been generating as a society.
In the following publication, we will address the use of soldier fly larvae as raw material in the agri-food industry. The research is carried out by a group of researchers from the Food, Innovation & Engineering, where they have been evaluating the physicochemical properties of the proteins generated by the soldier fly and their possible implementation in the agri-food industry.
As a species, the soldier fly belongs to the Hermetia illucens family, an insect that has gained much popularity due to its great ability to recycle and transform many organic substrates, including manure, crop waste, food, among others.
Fig. 2. Representation of the larva Hermetia illucens. Author: Dennis Kress
One of the great advantages of the species is its ability to produce large amounts of biomass in the process of transformation of organic matter, hence the possible implementation in obtaining food whose use will be destined to feed pigs, chickens, fish, among others.
However, beyond its uses at the level of animal species, it is the demanding figures provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that have raised alarms and it is estimated that the world population will exceed 10 billion people before 2050, which will generate an abrupt demand in food issues.
Based on this particular, at a scientific level, alternatives are being sought to meet the demands that are approaching, although to do so, we must transform the current methods of production and obtaining protein. It is for this reason that in the last decades, the implementation of alternative protein sources with a high nutritional value that allows us to face the current demands has been studied and evaluated.
Fig. 3. Soldier fly of the genus Hermetia illucens. Author: Own work
Thus, the use of proteins from insects is one of the most analyzed alternatives due to the efficiency of the process, according to Junjing Wang, an active researcher in the process:
"The results we have obtained allow us to point out the feasibility of using protein in food industry applications, especially as an emulsifying and stabilizing agent and in encapsulation processes."
In the characterization process it is possible to visualize the nutritional benefits of the protein fraction extracted through larvae of Hermetia illucens, which is a breakthrough in scientific and food matters since it has exceeded the expected nutritional levels, we can only follow closely this type of development aimed at food sovereignty using sustainable alternatives. That is why I invite you to leave your contribution and perspective in the comments section.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES CONSULTED
[1] Arroyave-Sierra OJ, Chamorro-Rengifo J, Ochoa-Muñoz AF. Growth of larvae of the soldier fly fed with hen manure, swine manure and layer poultry fed. Revista Colombiana de Ciencia Animal RECIA
ISSN: 2027-4297. Article: Online Access
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, using public domain images