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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