Optimizing food safety and nutritional quality in edible insects: diet–fasting interactions shape microbiological safety and elemental composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae

Engineering Nutritional Profiles in Edible Insects Through Diet–Microbiome Interactions: Mechanisms, Applications and Future Directions

Combining improved feeding strategies, knowledge of gut microorganisms, biological analysis, and automated production could help produce insects with more predictable nutritional properties and support sustainable food and feed production, reduce organic waste, and strengthen circular and resource-efficient agricultural systems.

Insects as future food - nutrient requirements and manipulation of whole-body composition in Tenebrio molitor larvae.

Nutritional Potential of Tenebrio molitor Larvae Produced from Organic Waste Bioconversion as an Alternative Feed Ingredient: Evaluation Against Indonesian National Feed Standards For Broiler, Layer, and Fish Feedstock

The increasing demand for sustainable protein sources and the accumulation of organic waste have encouraged the development of insect-mediated bioconversion for resource recovery. This study evaluated the nutritional quality of Tenebrio molitor larvae reared on various organic waste substrates and assessed their suitability as an alternative feed ingredient in accordance with the Indonesian National Standards (SNI). A laboratory-scale factorial experiment was conducted using three substrate treatments: household food waste (S1), a 1:1 mixture of household food waste and seafood waste (S2), and seafood waste (S3), combined with two larval densities (0.5 and 1 larva cm?²). Harvested larvae were analyzed for crude protein, crude fat, moisture, ash, and carbohydrate contents, and data were evaluated using two-way ANOVA. Substrate composition, larval density, and their interaction significantly affected all proximate parameters (p < 0.001). The highest crude protein content (37.16%) was obtained from larvae reared on seafood waste at 1 larva cm?² (S3-D1), while carbohydrate content decreased with increasing seafood waste proportions. Crude fat ranged from 24.80–27.14%, moisture from 10.10–12.25%, and ash from 9.60–10.73%. The larvae met SNI requirements for protein and moisture in broiler, layer, and tilapia feeds. These findings demonstrate that T. molitor effectively converts organic waste into protein-rich biomass, supporting its application as a sustainable feed ingredient and promoting circular resource management. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 2: Zero HungerSDG 12: Responsible ConsumptionSDG 13: Climate ActionSDG 15: Life on Land

Effect of Honey Supplementation on Growth Performance, Microbial Load, and Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae

Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) have gained global attention as a sustainable alternative protein source for animal feed because of their rapid growth, high feed conversion efficiency, and ability to valorize organic waste. Optimizing larval nutrition is essential for maximizing biomass yield, improving feed safety, and enhancing nutritional quality. This study evaluated the effects of graded supplementation with commercial, unprocessed natural honey (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% v/w) on growth performance, microbial load, and proximate composition of BSFL over a 21-day rearing period. A completely randomized design with triplicate treatments was employed. Growth parameters assessed included survival rate, average larval weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and total biomass yield. Microbial analyses measured total plate count, Escherichia coli, and lactic acid bacteria populations, while proximate composition was determined using standard AOAC methods. Honey supplementation significantly improved larval survival, weight gain, and biomass production (p < 0.05), with the 10% inclusion level yielding the most favorable overall performance. Honey-treated groups exhibited reduced total microbial and E. coli loads alongside increased lactic acid bacteria counts, although the mechanisms underlying these microbial changes were not directly investigated. Nutritional analysis revealed enhanced crude protein and lipid contents in supplemented larvae, particularly at 10%, without significant effects on ash or moisture. These findings indicate that moderate inclusion of natural honey may function as a nutritional and microbial-modulating feed additive for BSFL. However, because conventional honey is relatively high-value, its commercial sustainability will depend on the availability and safety of lower-value, surplus, downgraded, or otherwise non-marketable honey streams.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Fishmeal Alternative: Effects on Growth, Muscle Quality, Antioxidant Status and Gut Microbiota of Juvenile Pangasius

To evaluate the economic and ecological potential of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) slurry as a fishmeal alternative, 270 juvenile Pangasius (initial body weight: 7.20 ± 0.07 g) were acclimated for two weeks and randomly allocated to three dietary treatments (T0, T1, T2), with three biological replicates per treatment. The feeding trial lasted six weeks (42 days). Fish in T0 were fed the basal diet, while T1 and T2 diets replaced 50% and 100% of fishmeal with BSFL on an isonitrogenous basis, respectively. At trial termination, whole-body proximate composition, muscle texture, and intestinal microbiota were analyzed. BSFL inclusion at 50–100% fishmeal replacement did not compromise growth performance. Moisture and ash content did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05), whereas BSFL supplementation significantly altered muscle texture, reducing hardness and resilience while increasing springiness, chewiness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness. Both 50% and 100% BSFL replacement enhanced hepatic antioxidant capacity, evidenced by significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.05). BSFL also modulated intestinal microbiota and enhanced community evenness, though without significant intergroup differences in bacterial abundance (p > 0.05). This study demonstrated that BSFL could replace 50–100% of fishmeal in diets for juvenile Pangasius, maintaining growth performance while modifying nutritional profiles, muscle texture, hepatic antioxidant status, and intestinal microbiota. Nevertheless, 100% fishmeal replacement triggered distinct shifts in intestinal microbial composition despite satisfactory growth, and the 50% substitution level was, therefore, recommended as a safe proportion for practical aquafeeds.

Agronomic management enhances nutritional quality and functional food potential of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.): a review

The growing global challenges of food insecurity posed by climate change, and micronutrient deficiencies have intensified interest in climate resilient, nutrient-dense functional foods. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a promising candidate owing to its exceptional nutritional profile and adaptability to harsh agroecological conditions. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of existing literature on the agronomic management, nutritional composition, and functional food potential of purslane, with particular emphasis on its omega-3 fatty acid content and the role of nitrogen and mineral nutrition. The review reveals that purslane is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), vitamins (C and E), carotenoids, minerals, and diverse bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its nutritional quality is highly variable and influenced by genotype, environmental conditions, cultivation systems, and nutrient management strategies. Nitrogen plays a dual role of enhancing biomass production while exerting complex, compound-specific effects on nutrient density, often leading to trade-offs between yield and quality. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated, multi-dimensional perspective that links agronomy, plant physiology, and nutritional science, moving beyond fragmented analyses in existing literature. It highlights the importance of genotype-by-environment interactions and introduces the concept of “nutritional efficiency” as a more appropriate framework than yield-focused optimization. This study contributes to knowledge by identifying critical gaps and proposing a systems-based approach for optimizing purslane as a sustainable, plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids and functional nutrients, particularly in resource-constrained and climate-vulnerable regions.