Valorisation of agri-food residuals with insect technologies

EntoWaste project aims at the development of modular agrifood waste valorisation biorefinery, based on use of insects as biomass destructors. It will be oriented towards a a threefold innovation: (1) the development of a modular waste utilization technology, (2) insect-based feed trials for the most common and regionally important animals, and (3) consumer-oriented food product development and design. Such approach will assure the sustainability of the concept and its applicability for the various needs in agricultural production, food processing and consumption in EU and LAC countries.

In order to reach the aim EntoWaste will deal with a number of challenges and tasks. The spectrum of objectives includes dealing with complex objectives along the food supply chains and includes: selection of agrifood waste streams for maximum efficiency of insects production, insects feeding and harvesting optimisation, feed development and animal feeding trials, food development a n d consumer acceptance studies, and modular insectbased biorefinery design for the applicability at the targeted waste streams along the food supply chains.

EntoWaste project will deliver a number of results which assure the valorisation and commercialisation of the concept, while supporting the sustainability and lowering the impact on the environment. EntoWaste Modular Technology (design, spectrum and map of application potential) will be the final biggest outcome of the project. Such technology currently exists neither in research development nor in industry. It will be based on research connected with creation of optimal model of insect breeding, consumer acceptance studies of insectbased feed and food products, followed by the studies of relevant food products development with assured sustainability. Multiple laboratory results will assure the safety and nutritional profiles of insect-based feed, food, and meat. Commercialisation potential is estimated for the utilisation of agrifood wastes, production of bioorganic fertilisers, bioorganic high protein feed for animals and consumer oriented protein and oil-based foods.