As Earth’s growing population strains farmers’ capacity to produce high-quality protein sources and expanding livestock production threatens the environment, edible insects are emerging as a protein-packed alternative. A single serving of grasshoppers or crickets contains 14 to 28 grams of protein, as much as a serving of chicken or beef. Insects also provide necessary micronutrients like iron, making them a nutritional powerhouse. Diets in parts of Asia, Africa, and Central America commonly include insects. The next question is, will people in Western populations embrace insect-based cuisine and its environmental benefits?
Insects’ Environmental Advantages
Globally, raising livestock accounts for approximately 14.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. As a protein alternative, insects would help reduce this impact significantly. According to a report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, insects for food emit fewer greenhouse gasses and less ammonia and require less water and feed pound for pound compared to cattle or pigs. Crickets, for example, need 12 times less feed than cattle, four times less feed than sheep, and half as much as pigs and chickens to produce the same amount of protein. This strategy’s environmental benefits have been discussed for decades. However, shifting public perception to increase insect consumption in Western cultures remains a challenge.
The Culinary Challenge: Making Insects Palatable
Western cultures have a stigma against eating insects, which are often considered “dirty” or “icky.” The solution may lie in making insects both a sustainable protein source and a tasty one. Experimental endeavors, such as those by the renowned Copenhagen restaurant Noma, explore innovative ways to incorporate insects into Western cuisine. For example, Noma serves grasshopper garum, a fermented sauce usually made with fish guts. It adds umami flavor to any dish, elevating vegetables or insect-based cuisine while adding protein and other nutrients.
To encourage wider insect consumption, other approaches aim to make insect protein an everyday addition to a healthy diet. For example, cricket powder could be added to protein powder, used to enrich bread and other baked goods, or added to processed foods.
Sustainability Challenges: From Harvest to Farm
Once acceptance is achieved, the next hurdle will be sustainable mass production. Harvesting insects from natural habitats won’t be sustainable at scale, necessitating controlled farming environments. Automation and efficiency will play crucial roles in ensuring year-round insect availability and addressing the complexities of insect feed production.
Insect Farms: Livestock Feed and CRISPR Advancements
Beyond a protein source for humans, insects also have potential as feed for livestock. Companies are exploring using CRISPR technology and gene editing techniques to scale up insect farming and enhance traits like size, stress resilience, and lipid content.
For example, FreezeM uses CRISPR–Cas9 to target metabolic genes in black soldier flies, resulting in strains with larger larvae and enhanced stress resilience. Overcoming previous difficulties in insect gene editing, research is examining new methods like Receptor-Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo (ReMOT Control) and direct parental CRISPR (DIPA-CRISPR) that inject female adult insects to induce desired mutations in developing oocytes. In addition, improved insect genome sequences are aiding researchers in understanding relevant gene pathways.
Meat Alternatives Market Boom
The meat alternatives market is predicted to grow from $13.9 billion in 2023 to $230 billion in 2030. Insect farming, though currently a small player, could contribute significantly, especially if insect protein becomes more readily accepted as an ingredient in animal feed or processed foods. Could your next burger or burrito contain a blend of traditional and insect protein? The future of sustainable and delicious protein might just be buzzing on the horizon.
Did you enjoy this blog post? Check out our other blog posts as well as related topics on our Webinar page.
QPS is a GLP- and GCP-compliant contract research organization (CRO) delivering the highest grade of discovery, preclinical and clinical drug research development services. Since 1995, it has grown from a tiny bioanalysis shop to a full-service CRO with 1,100+ employees in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Today, QPS offers expanded pharmaceutical contract R&D services with special expertise in neuropharmacology, DMPK, toxicology, bioanalysis, translational medicine and clinical development. An award-winning leader focused on bioanalytics and clinical trials, QPS is known for proven quality standards, technical expertise, a flexible approach to research, client satisfaction and turnkey laboratories and facilities. Through continual enhancements in capacities and resources, QPS stands tall in its commitment to delivering superior quality, skilled performance and trusted service to its valued customers. For more information, visit www.qps.com or email [email protected].
