Insect Rearing and the Development of Bioengineered Crops

Abstract The chapter highlights the potential benefits associated with the use of insect-rearing residues as biofertilizers while exploring the mechanisms by which chitin in insect frass might control common crop pathogens. The potential benefits for soil fertility derived from the use of insect frass, comparison of quality of insect-derived biofertilizers and common organic and inorganic fertilizers and insect frass and plant health improvement are discussed. While more research is essential to understand the true value of insect-derived biofertilizers for plant and soil health, preliminary findings suggest there are significant opportunities for beneficial impacts in agriculture and horticulture to be realized.

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Effects of Pet Insects on Cognitive Function among the Elderly: An fMRI Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8101705 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 1705 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ji-Yeon Park ◽

Hae-Jin Ko ◽

A-Sol Kim ◽

Ha-Na Moon ◽

Hye-In Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Healthy Elderly ◽

Insect Rearing ◽

Group I ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group Ii

Animal-assisted therapy has positive effects on cognitive function, depression, performance ability, and social functioning in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rearing pet insects on the cognitive function of healthy elderly participants, with fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) being used for this purpose. Community-dwelling right-handed elderly women (≥60 years) with normal cognitive function were enrolled and randomized at a 1:1 ratio into two groups: insect-rearing and control (n = 16) groups, with the insect-rearing group being further classified into two groups for analysis according to the subjects’ scores in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST) at the baseline fMRI: Insect-rearing group I with a relatively high score (n = 13), and insect-rearing group II with a relatively low score (n = 6). The insect-rearing groups received and reared crickets as pet insects for 8 weeks. The WCST consisted of two variations, a high level baseline (HLB) and semi-WCST version. There was a significant difference accuracy of the HLB–semi-WCST (p < 0.05) in insect-rearing group II after 8 weeks from the baseline test. In the fMRI analysis involving the WCST reaction test, increased activation was observed in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex in insect-rearing group II when the semi-WCST, rather than the HLB, was performed. Rearing pet insects showed positive effects on executive functions and performance improvement in elderly women. Further larger studies on the effects of pet insects on cognitive function are warranted.

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A First Attempt to Produce Proteins from Insects by Means of a Circular Economy

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9050278 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 278 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Silvia Cappellozza ◽

Maria Giovanna Leonardi ◽

Sara Savoldelli ◽

Domenico Carminati ◽

Anna Rizzolo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Larval Growth ◽

Waste Reduction ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Fish Feed ◽

Insect Rearing ◽

System Establishment ◽

Microbiological Analyses ◽

Processing Steps ◽

Reduction Index

The worldwide growing consumption of proteins to feed humans and animals has drawn a considerable amount of attention to insect rearing. Insects reared on organic wastes and used as feed for monogastric animals can reduce the environmental impact and increase the sustainability of meat/fish production. In this study, we designed an environmentally closed loop for food supply in which fruit and vegetable waste from markets became rearing substrate for Hermetia illucens (BSF— black soldier fly). A vegetable and fruit-based substrate was compared to a standard diet for Diptera in terms of larval growth, waste reduction index, and overall substrate degradation. Morphological analysis of insect organs was carried out to obtain indications about insect health. Processing steps such as drying and oil extraction from BSF were investigated. Nutritional and microbiological analyses confirmed the good quality of insects and meal. The meal was then used to produce fish feed and its suitability to this purpose was assessed using trout. Earthworms were grown on leftovers of BSF rearing in comparison to a standard substrate. Chemical analyses of vermicompost were performed. The present research demonstrates that insects can be used to reduce organic waste, increasing at the same time the sustainability of aquaculture and creating interesting by-products through the linked bio-system establishment.

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