The benefits that come with insect farming could soon overshadow the negative perceptions about viewing bugs as food (source: Celitron – black soldier fly larvae farming). With both nutritional and environmental advantages, insect protein extraction and processing solutions like the one mentioned in the previous source could present many of those working in the bug farming business with a way to cater to this new demand.
Read on to find out exactly why people are already looking for insect protein-based products!
What makes black soldier fly larvae an attractive source of protein?
Using the word “attractive” may seem strange when talking about black soldier flies as a source of food, but with factors such as the issue of global food supply, criticisms towards the traditional meat industry, and an unchanging need towards the consumption of protein, demand for edible insects could quite possibly skyrocket in the near future.
In fact, in many countries people already do consume them as food, and from the amount of insect-protein based products available online (like flours and powders), it is clear that demand for such products is already present.
Among the many benefits of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL for short), you should know that farming them is much easier than it is the case with cattle, swine, or chicken, which makes investing in such a project is also easier. As a matter of fact, it is both faster and cheaper! Since their reproduction rate is way above average, and they need a lot less feed and space, you can produce more clean meat at lesser costs and in way less time. BSF larvae farming also produces zero waste since their remains can be used as a great fertilizer too.
All in all, the potential for a more ethical, and possibly even more profitable business certainly is there!
How does one get from black soldier fly farming to insect protein extraction?
BSF larvae have exceptional nutritional values. They represent a great source of calcium and essential amino acids, not to mention their high content of protein: they can contain up 43 percent of proteins! Coupled with the environmental benefits listed earlier, more health and environmentally conscious consumers will certainly look for alternate organic sources of protein, but their high protein content alone will make them a lot more attractive in the eyes of athletes as well.
Still: how can black soldier fly farming’s next step be solved in practice? Insect protein processing depends on several technical factors if you don’t want to lose nutritional value during the operation. Regardless, there are already on-site solutions (like the one described in the source at the beginning of the article) that serve as automatic extraction plants. They are not only practical, but highly effective, since they help you preserve all essential protein and fat content from black soldier fly larvae.
A machine like this can separate and dry each load of BSF larvae, and then, you can just collect your “end-products”!
Comments are closed.