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Study finds insect shows promise as a good, sustainable food source:
With global food demands rising at an alarming rate, a study led by IUPUI [( Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis)] scientists has found new evidence that a previously overlooked insect shows promise as alternative protein source: the yellow mealworm.
The research is based upon a new analysis of the genome of the mealworm species Tenebrio molitor led by Christine Picard, associate professor of biology and director in Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at the School of Science at IUPUI.
[...] "Human populations are continuing to increase and the stress on protein production is increasing at an unsustainable rate, not even considering climate change," said Picard, whose lab focuses on the use of insects to address global food demand.
The research, conducted in partnership with Beta Hatch Inc., has found the yellow mealworm—historically a pest—can provide benefit in a wide range of agriculture applications. Not only can it can be used as an alternative source of protein for animals including fish, but its waste is also ideal as organic fertilizer.
[...] "Mealworms, being insects, are a part of the natural diet of many organisms," said Picard. "Fish enjoy mealworms, for example. They could also be really useful in the pet food industry as an alternative protein source. Chickens like insects—and maybe one day humans will, too, because it's an alternative source of protein."
Journal Reference:
T. Eriksson, et al. The yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) genome: a resource for the emerging insects as food and feed industry [open], Journal of Insects as Food and Feed (DOI: 10.3920/jiff2019.0057)
(Score: 2) by sonamchauhan on Tuesday September 01 2020, @09:54PM (6 children)
How do you gut them?
Because if you don't, you're eating stuff that even worms consider waste. Long term, that can be bad for you... who know if among the millions of metabolites in their gut, is something toxic or damaging to us in the long term? And that's not even considering viral or bacterial cross-species infections.
(Score: 2) by optotronic on Wednesday September 02 2020, @01:31AM (2 children)
I have wondered about this aspect of eating organisms whole. Do we (in the west) already eat any organisms whole?
I suspect that if eating insects were commonplace we would cook them first to kill off any microorganisms.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 02 2020, @01:48AM
Yes, smelts, little fish.
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Wednesday September 02 2020, @11:40PM
Oysters?
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 02 2020, @06:40AM
This is why we cook our food.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 03 2020, @08:52PM (1 child)
Just like conventional livestock, mealworms and other insects are not fed for a period of time before processing (by freezing in the case of insects usually).
(Score: 2) by sonamchauhan on Tuesday September 22 2020, @12:36PM
Thanks, didn't know
But still: conventional livestock is still gutted before cooking. Mealworms and insects aren't .. so we're still eating (cooked) partly digested food and metabolites