Crawling with opportunities? Examining mealworms as an alternative protein source

02 Sep 2020

02 Sep 2020 --- The DNA of the yellow mealworm is being analyzed for enhanced viability as an alternative protein source. The study led by scientists at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), in partnership with Beta Hatch, has sequenced the genome of the mealworm species Tenebrio molitor. The results could help in optimizing the yellow mealworm for mass production and consumption, helping to meet global demand for protein sources.

“Human populations are continuing to increase and the stress on protein production is increasing at an unsustainable rate, not even considering climate change,” says Christine Picard, Associate Professor of Biology and Director in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at the School of Science at IUPUI, who led the analysis.

Picard and her team used 10X Chromium linked-read technology, a new method that integrates two sequencing methods to produce a genome sequence. The team, whose lab focuses on using insects to address global food demand, published its results this week in the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed.

“Insect genomes are challenging, and the longer sequence of DNA you can generate, the better genome you can assemble,” Picard adds.

Could mealworms go mainstream?
Researchers on the project have identified a number of uses for the yellow mealworm, with opportunities to support the lives of plants and animals.

The Essento Insect Burger is made with mealworms, grains and vegetables.“Mealworms, being insects, are a part of the natural diet of many organisms,” says Picard. “Fish enjoy mealworms, for example. They could also be useful in the pet food industry as an alternative protein source. Chickens like insects – and maybe one day humans will like them too as an alternative source of protein.” In Switzerland, mealworm production for human consumption is already underway through the brand Essento, which has commercialized a burger made of mealworms, grains and vegetables, as well as snacks made from crickets, locusts and mealworms.

Moreover, protein powder producer hi! launched a protein powder made with crickets to deliver protein and essential nutrients found in insects. The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed notes that insects can contain minerals, vitamins, fibers, as well as healthy fatty acids, such as omega 6 and omega 3.

In addition to its viability as an alternative source of protein for animals and potentially for humans, mealworm waste can be used for organic fertilizer. In June, the French company Ÿnsect became the first company in the world to obtain certification and marketing approval for a natural fertilizer made from insect by-products. The producer of farmed insects harnesses “frass” from its mealworms and leverages its nutrient-dense qualities for its organic fertilizer.

Meanwhile, Bühler announced it would commission, design and install a 2,300 square-meter facility for the complete production of yellow mealworms. The increased production capacity for insects was in response to increasing demand for the ingredient, which has shown significant growth driven by demand for sustainability and alternative proteins.

While clear strides have been made in advancing insect protein, there is still work to be done. Picard says the project at IUPUI will “set the bar on modularized mealworm production.” The team’s next area of focus is to look at what governs some of the biological processes of yellow mealworms in order to harness information useful for the successful commercialization of these insects.