InsectFeedAroma

• Project

  The research project entitled “Innovative feeds with meals from insect, which will be reared on a substrate enriched with functional ingredients of aromatic and medicinal plants of the Greek flora, for reared seabream, broiler chickens and piglets” (acronym InsectFeedAroma, T2EDK-02356) of the State Aid Action: "RESEARCH-CREATE-INNOVATE 2nd CYCLE" is co-financed by the Greek State and the European Union and in particular by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and its duration is 30 months.

  Aim of the project

  The main objective of InsectFeedAroma is to investigate the possibility of rearing insects in enriched substrates for the production of insect meal which will be used to replace imported protein raw materials in the diet of farmed production animals. The project will provide protocols for mass rearing of insects for protein production, based on the utilization of crop and processing residues, which are considered waste, and thus will be a sustainable example of circular economy. The innovation of the project lies in the enrichment of the substrate of the reared insects with a) components of aromatic plants of the Greek flora as well as by-products of these aromatic plants, b) linseed oil, rock-samphire and industrial cannabis and c) olives paste by-product. The InsectFeedAroma project is going to strengthen collaboration between research organizations and businesses, while promoting research and innovative entrepreneurship. The produced product will have a high added value and a clear export character. As part of the project, 12 new job positions for scientific staff will be created.

  Partners

        

  Work packages

  EE1: Study and production of insect meal of Greek origin, on a substrate enriched with essential oils of aromatic / medicinal plants and oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

  EE2: Investigation of the utilization of diets supplemented with two different concentrations of enriched insect meal on the performance of reared seabream, broiler chickens and piglets.

  EE3: Investigation of the effect of diets supplemented with two different concentrations of enriched insect meal on health and well-being indicators of reared seabream, broiler chickens and piglets.

  EE4: Detection of the gut microbiome using 16S sequencing with next-generation metagenetic analysis in alternative feeding systems of seabream, broilers and pigs.

  EE5: Investigation of the effect of diets supplemented with two different concentrations of enriched insect meal on the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, quality analysis and organoleptic characteristics of the meat of reared seabream, broiler chickens and piglets.

  EE6: Effect of diets supplemented with two different concentrations of enriched insect meal on the carbon cycle analysis and economics of seabream, broiler and pig farms.

  EE7: Feasibility study for the production of enriched insect meal and its use in feeding seabream, broiler chickens and piglets.

  Expected Results

  The results that will be extracted in the context of InsectFeedAroma research project will concern:

  1. Development of innovative methodology for the production of enriched insect meal.
  2. Utilization of various habitats for the breeding of insects, according to the principles of the circular economy.
  3. Formulation of rational rations for seabream, broiler chickens and pigs with reduced use of fish meal and soybean meal.
  4. Development of breeding systems for se bream, broiler chickens and piglets.
  5. Application of life cycle analysis and energy management for rearing seabream, broilers and pigs with a reduced environmental footprint.
  6. Evaluation of the economics and the availability of the produced enriched fishmeal in the Greek and international markets.
  7. Study of the effects of enriched insect meal on the quality and organoleptic characteristics of seabream meat, broiler chickens and pigs.
  8. Study of the enrichment of seabream fillet, chicken and pig meat.
  9. Strengthening of cooperation and competitiveness of participating companies and research organizations to promote innovative entrepreneurship.
  10. Informing aquaculture farmers, poultry farmers and pig farmers about the opportunities related to the project results.
  11. Creation of 12 new researcher job positions.
  12. Creation of a patent for the enriched insect meal, suitable for feeding seabream, broilers and pigs.