• Insect shows promise as a good, sustaina

    From ScienceDaily@1337:3/111 to All on Mon Aug 31 21:30:36 2020
    Insect shows promise as a good, sustainable food source

    Date:
    August 31, 2020
    Source:
    Indiana University
    Summary:
    With global food on the rise, a new study has found new evidence
    that the yellow mealworm shows promise as alternative source of
    nutritional protein.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    With global food demands rising at an alarming rate, a study led by
    IUPUI scientists has found new evidence that a previously overlooked
    insect shows promise as alternative protein source: the yellow mealworm.


    ==========================================================================
    The research is based upon a new analysis of the genome of the mealworm
    species Tenebrio molitor led by Christine Picard, associate professor
    of biology and director in Forensic and Investigative Sciences program
    at the School of Science at IUPUI.

    The work was published in the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed on
    Aug. 31.

    "Human populations are continuing to increase and the stress on protein production is increasing at an unsustainable rate, not even considering
    climate change," said Picard, whose lab focuses on the use of insects
    to address global food demand.

    The research, conducted in partnership with Beta Hatch Inc., has found
    the yellow mealworm -- historically a pest -- can provide benefit in a
    wide range of agriculture applications. Not only can it can be used as
    an alternative source of protein for animals including fish, but its
    waste is also ideal as organic fertilizer.

    Picard and her team sequenced the yellow mealworm's genome using 10X
    Chromium linked-read technology. The results will help those who now wish
    to utilize the DNA and optimize the yellow mealworm for mass production
    and consumption. This new technology integrates the best of two sequencing methods to produce a reliable genome sequence.

    "Insect genomes are challenging, and the longer sequence of DNA you can generate, the better genome you can assemble," said Picard.

    Picard added the mealworm has -- and will have -- a wide variety uses.

    "Mealworms, being insects, are a part of the natural diet of many
    organisms," said Picard. "Fish enjoy mealworms, for example. They could
    also be really useful in the pet food industry as an alternative protein source, chickens like insects -- and maybe one day humans, too, because
    it's an alternative source of protein." Next, Picard said the researchers
    plan to look at what governs some of the biological processes of yellow mealworms in order to harness information useful for the commercialization
    of these insects.


    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Indiana_University. Note: Content
    may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. T. Eriksson, A.A. Andere, H. Kelstrup, V.J. Emery, C.J. Picard. The
    yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) genome: a resource for the
    emerging insects as food and feed industry. Journal of Insects as
    Food and Feed, 2020; 1 DOI: 10.3920/jiff2019.0057 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200831112318.htm

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