Work

BugBook: nutritional requirements for edible insect rearing

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The rapid expansion of insect farming as a sustainable approach for protein production has led to an accumulation of published research on the use of low-value substrates as insect feed. However, compared to conventional livestock, there is a lack of fundamental knowledge about the nutritional physiology and requirements of insects. Such knowledge can lead to the development of optimised feeding substrates that boost insect performance and nutrient composition. In this article, the current knowledge on the nutritional requirements of the most relevant insects produced for food and feed is reviewed, and the methods and assays used to investigate the specific requirements are presented. This description of current knowledge on nutritional requirements of edible insects can be used to design suitable rearing diets and as a foundation to further our understanding of insect nutrition.

Source: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

DOI: 10.1163/23524588-bja10226

Authors: D.G.A.B. Oonincx, M. Gold, G. Bosch, J.B. Guillaume, C.I. Rumbos, S. Naser El Deen, C. Sandrock, S. Bellezza Oddon, C.G. Athanassiou, M. Cambra-López, J.J. Pascual, A.P. Parodi, T. Spranghers, W. Yakti

Institutions: Wageningen University & Research, ETH Zurich, University of Patras, Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau, University of Turin, University of Thessaly, Universitat Politècnica de València, Katholieke Hogeschool Vives, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Language: English

Topic: Insect Utilization and Effects

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4410595113

FWCI: 4.837

Cites: 166

Cited by: 7

Related to: 10