Upcycling Milk Industry Byproducts into Tenebrio molitor Larvae: Investigation on Fat, Protein, and Sugar Composition.

ABSTRACT: Edible insects represent a growing sector of the food industry and have a low carbon footprint. Noteworthy, insects can upcycle different leftovers and byproducts into high-quality nutrients. Herein, the larvae of the edible insect Tenebrio molitor (TML) were fed using local milk industry byproducts. Mozzarella whey and whey permeate obtained in cheese production were used to formulate three alternative diets. Both byproducts are rich in sugars, in particular the disaccharide lactose and the monosaccharides glucose and galactose. Two of the three diets did not interfere with biometric data and vitality, while the use of whey permeate alone significantly reduced development. At the end of the trial, the proximate composition of TML was strongly affected, with an increased protein con

SUBMITTER: Brai A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11545053 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature