Abstract
Insects can transform waste streams into high-value proteins for food and feed. Consequently, insects provide valuable contributions to a circular economy. Here, we will investigate the valorisation of the rest-stream of insect production (moulting skins and faeces) to enhance soil health and crop health. Preliminary data show that incubation of insect rest-stream in soils leads to selective colonisation by bacteria, especially bacilli. Bacilli are well-known for their involvement in biological control of soil pathogens and induction of systemic resistance in plants. We will investigate the rest-streams of three insect species produced for food or feed with respect to (a) colonisation by microbes, (b) biocontrol of soil pathogens and an insect soil pest, (c) induction of resistance in crops to aboveground insect pests, (d) enhancement of aboveground biological control of insect pests, (e) improvement of plant mineral nutrition. Such effects of the rest-stream will enhance sustainable crop protection and reduce pesticide use in agriculture and horticulture. Additionally, the effect of the main stream, the insects, on chicken health will be investigated, based on preliminary data showing that insects as feed act as immunostimulants. This application of the main stream implies that apart from a high-value protein source, insects may also reduce reliance on antibiotics in poultry production. We will investigate the economic perspectives of the use of insect rest- and main-stream and assess farmer willingness to adopt their use. The outcomes of this interdisciplinary systems approach will provide insight in the novel applications of insect production in a circular economy.
Netherlands