Researchers Look to Exploit Insect Oil and Protein

19 Aug 2015 --- Surprised to see how the Dutch people, whose culture is alien to the consumption of insects, have expressed interest in entomology with a scientific and commercial vision, a Mexican researcher is working on a project that seeks to exploit the oil and protein of arthropods.

PhD Daylan Tzompa-Sosa, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, says that this particular research has turn the team into a world leader on the field. "The project came about because five years ago there was a boom of Dutch companies growing insects for consumption."

The idea of such companies, she adds, was to produce protein alternatives to red meat, because cattle breeding generates a lot of pollutants, while insects can be grown in a responsible manner with the environment. "The Dutch are not used to eat crickets or worms, so various companies have focused on isolating the proteins for use as a powdered ingredient that can be added to food".

The research team, with whom Tzompa-Sosa works, asks whether the fat of insects can be used as an ingredient for bakery products, ice cream and dressings, since it has a high content of omega-3.

"It is important to have a good consistency, taste and smell; in fact, there are some species that generate oils with fruity aromas as the grasshopper and the soldier fly; in comparison, the cockroach smells awful and is not suitable for food, but the fat itself might be used in skin tanning or as a useful lubricant in some industrial sectors," she explains.

Notably, the project is at an early stage, as they are experimenting with different types of fat removal, as well as chemical and physical characterization of the oil.

"In fact, the research I do is quite basic, no applications yet because it is a long term project that will lay the groundwork for future developments," says the expert, who believes that Mexico has a great potential to develop insect industry. She emphasizes that all the elements to achieve this are available, but someone needs to see it as a business.