Generales

By Carlos Olimpo Restrepo S, Journalist

Numerous species play a vital role in providing nutrition for the agricultural industry. However, despite their potential benefits, such as their high protein content and ability to act as decontaminants, the growth of this sector faces significant mental and regulatory barriers. These obstacles are being investigated at Alma Mater.

Breeding Tenebrio molitor can offer benefits beyond being a protein source. It can solve environmental problems. Photo: Communications Office / Alejandra Uribe F.

Larvae and adults of dragonflies or damselflies near lagoons and ponds in the Andean highlands of the Inca empire, grasshoppers and ants in the Mayan and Aztec cultures, and worms in many villages settled in the jungles and plains of South America are just a few examples. They show how humanity has relied on insects as an essential source of nutrition for centuries. 

In recent decades, research centers and companies have started studying various species' potential for animal and human food. Significant progress has been made in the agricultural sector and the development of food products. The Universidad de Antioquia has researchers, including professors and students, who have been dedicated to this field for years. 

“Aside from the problems caused by wars, such as disruptions in the supply chains of seeds and fertilizers, as well as those stemming from climate change, high rate of deforestation, and the decrease in cultivable areas, there is the pressing issue of the ever-increasing demand for protein due to a growing world population. Where will we get this protein if the space for crop cultivation and livestock farming diminishes?” 

The reflection comes from professor and researcher Luis Fernando Galeano Vasco of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at UdeA. He has guided research by students interested in developing initiatives based on promising insect species. These species are seen not only as food but also as potential solutions to environmental problems.

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“These animals are a source of high-quality protein, equal to or greater than a portion of vertebrate meat. They are biotransformers; they consume waste material and convert it into proteins and fertilizers. They can process both organic and inorganic waste, making them very valuable,” said Galeano. 

One of his students, Daniel Londoño Zapata, a Zootechnics student, proposes the potential of Tenebrio molitor, also known as the mealworm. For this endeavor, he receives guidance from Professor Marisol Medina Sierra and Galeano Vasco, with support from the Research Group in Agro-sciences, Biodiversity and Territory (Gamma) at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Natural Sciences. 

Consumer of icopor   

“I am studying the zootechnical parameters found in the insect when we feed it with polystyrene. There is an opportunity to degrade a waste material that cannot be processed either in nature or in industry,” explained Londoño Zapata, who has been conducting this research for two years. 

“This is the main novelty of the research. Expanded polystyrene, or icopor, can decompose in nature for 500 years or more. However, we have found that, so far,” added the student, “upon digesting it, the insect transforms this plastic into a residue that can serve as organic fertilizer in a few hours. Much remains to be investigated regarding establishing protocols for producing Tenebrio molitor meal. For example, the insect may retain microplastics and other elements in its gastrointestinal tract that could affect animal or human health.

“This is remarkable,” said researcher Galeano, “as it takes a contaminant, something inert like polystyrene, and converts it into high-quality protein. This matches the protein found in meat, accompanied by manure high in nitrogen content, showcasing great potential as a fertilizer.” 

The species stands out for its high polyunsaturated fat content, popularly called “good fat,” and proteins. It also serves as a source of vitamin B12, among other nutritional contributions. These qualities set it apart from other insects used or researched for similar purposes but have not yet been exploited. 

However, this is not this insect's only contribution to the environment. Recent studies conducted by U.S. and Chinese universities show that, besides polystyrene, the species consumes other plastics used in textile and automobile industries. 

Researchers are trying to establish if remnants of the icopor these insects consume exist in their digestive system. This investigation aims to determine if insects can produce protein for animal and human consumption. Photo: Communications Office / Alejandra Uribe F.

Great potential for commercial exploitation   

Regarding the industrial production of this raw material, the undergraduate student, who is also conducting a technical-economic analysis of the consumption of Tenebrio molitor and its growth, stated, “We conducted a short but conclusive study, with which we estimate that, in approximately six months, we are capable of producing around two tons of protein from this insect in a space similar to that of a shed for 4,000 hens.” 

Galeano specified, “If we had three workers and the necessary equipment, the University would produce about two tons of larvae per month, as we have enough space in the University's farms. We provide a space for undergraduate students to develop their research projects. The calculation follows: we could process one ton of icopor daily in a poultry shed measuring 100 meters long by 10 meters wide.”  

Brenda Chacón Valencia, a zootechnician who graduated from the University of Agricultural Sciences at UdeA, has experience breeding Tenebrio molitor and Zopohobas morio, beetles of the same family. Her focus is on producing nutrients for both animals and humans. 

In 2017, during her internship with wildlife at the Cali Zoo, Brenda Chacón Valencia recognized the importance of delving into the biology of rodents and insects, which formed the foundation of the nutrition for many animals in her care. Over six months, she improved the processes of rearing fly larvae, cockroaches, and other insects. From these efforts, she developed recipes for cakes and jellies to diversify the presentation of food given to the species. This opened doors to a new world. 

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“I fell in love with insects; I discovered their potential. I earned my professional degree by making these formulations, and I felt proud to see animals eat what I prepared. I accomplished this thanks to the training I received at the University of Agricultural Sciences and extensive research for bibliography and experimentation,” said the professional. 

From this experience, she embarked on an enterprise focused on breeding cockroaches, crickets, and flies for animal nutrition. Additionally, she guides small producers in implementing clean technologies and entering green markets. Furthermore, she has initiated the production of insect-based flour for human consumption. 

Galeano added, “The future lies in what universities and research centers abroad are already doing.  Ideally, we would extract the enzymes from the insects that degrade expanded icopor and replicate them to make a product that can be applied or sprayed onto the polystyrene, facilitating its degradation within a few days. 

It is necessary to change the mentality   

Some companies manufacture and supply insect protein for domestic animals, especially for pets, aquaculture, poultry, and pig farming. However, there is still considerable resistance to the consumption of insects in human nutrition. 

“Mentally, we are not ready to embrace alternatives like this. Despite having numerous resources available, we often limit ourselves to consuming meat, overlooking other environmentally friendly food sources,” said Galeano. 

The researcher highlighted that in several countries across America, Asia, and Africa, it is common for people to consume whole insects, and this practice is gradually emerging in Europe. As an example, he mentioned Denmark, where it is already possible to buy snacks made from Tenebrio molitor larvae in supermarkets. 

Zootechnician Chacón Valencia highlighted that countries like the United States, Mexico, and Brazil already have advanced regulations on the production of insects for both animal and human consumption. These regulations could serve as a basis for updating laws in Colombia. 

“The market presents challenges due to regulations, and many people negatively perceive consuming insects. This is often due to the lack of understanding of the product and concerns about associated costs, especially for labor, which are significant in this process,” said Brenda Chacón.