Ento-Protein™
A Sustainable Protein Source - Ento-protein™
Many different sources of proteins have been explored
to date. The difficulty in identifying a proper source
arises from the requirement of most carnivorous species
of a high quality animal-based protein source. Aqua
Biologics, Inc. is now researching a high quality
protein meal derived from insects, called Ento-protein™.
Insects are naturally consumed in nature by most freshwater
species, and represent one of the finest animal protein
sources available. Controlled mass production of select
insect species will produce a high quality, sustainable
protein substitute for fish and livestock diets. Additionally,
the controlled production of Ento-protein™
can provide an organic dietary source for certified
organic seafood diets. The elimination of fishmeal
from fish and animal diets has been one of the key
issues at the forefront of U.S. Organic Standard certification.
Organically certified seafood represents an enormous
market for producers.
Aqua Biologics, Inc. has filed a patent on the production
process of Ento-Protein™.
Ento-Protein™ is a
high quality dry protein meal created from commercially
raised
and processed insects. Through a prior cooperative
research effort with Mississippi State University,
Aqua Biologics selected and
tested various insect species for Ento-Protein’s™
commercial production. MSU was the pioneer in insect
rearing methodology over 30 years ago, and remains
one of the few Entomology programs worldwide to specialize
in insect rearing.
Keys to Success
Developing a new, revolutionary product involves
many important steps. The thorough completion of research
and analysis of data is critical to the success of
commercial operations. Identification of potential
bottlenecks and anticipated solutions will be mapped
and included in the business development strategy.
Clearly the economics of mass insect production will
play a major role in the commercial viability. Utilizing
low-cost land, labor, and feed will be key components.
As well, technology and automation of facilities to
reduce manpower and increase production efficiency
will inevitability influence cost.
Benefits to the Aquaculture Industry
As an industry, we must react now to head off a significant
bottleneck in projected growth and market competitiveness.
Sustainability of feed is critical to allowing unhindered
growth of our industry, as well as to protect and
nourish our world fisheries stocks.
All-natural and organic foods are producing 20%+
growth per year in the food industry. A more and more
countries come on-line with Organic standards and
certification, the aquaculture industry should see
a genuine growth spurt. Once again, the use of sustainable,
high quality, commercially produced protein that can
be certified organic will be critical to allowing
farmed seafood to compete in this market.
The broad diversity and body composition within the
class of insects should allow dietary recipes to be
created to generate species specific diets. It is
anticipated that Ento-Protein™ will initially
provide a necessary solution to sustainable, all-natural,
and organic based fish and animal production. As the
production process reaches full stride globally, it
may provide a high quality protein meal for fish,
livestock and human diets.