In this paper, we have explored the possibility of substituting traditional meat products with an alternative source of protein (insects) in order to reduce human pressure on water. Insects, in fact, could represent a good alternative source of quality proteins and nutrients and they are already a very popular component of the diet of one third of the world’s population in approximately 80% of countries. In the study, we have taken into account only two species of edible insects (Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio mealworms), because they are already commercially produced even in Western countries, and for this reason it is possible to find specific data in literature about their diets. We have used the water footprint (WF) as a reliable indicator to calculate the volume of water required for production and to compare different products. The final aim of the work is, in fact, to evaluate the WF of the production of edible insects with a focus on water consumption associated with protein content, in order to make a comparison with other animal protein sources. We have demonstrated that, from a freshwater resource perspective, it is more efficient to obtain protein through mealworms rather than other traditional farmed animals.

The incorporation of lipid ingredients into food matrices presents a main drawback—their susceptibility to oxidation—which is associated with the loss of nutritional properties and the generation of undesirable flavors and odors. Oil-in-water emulsions are able to stabilize and protect lipid compounds from oxidation. Driven by consumers’ demand, the search for natural emulsifiers, such as proteins, is gaining much interest in food industries. This paper evaluates the in vitro emulsifying properties of protein hydrolysates from animal (whey protein concentrate) and vegetal origin (a soy protein isolate). By means of statistical modelling and bi-objective optimization, the experimental variables, namely, the protein source, enzyme (i.e., subtilisin, trypsin), degree of hydrolysis (2–14%) and emulsion pH (2–8), were optimized to obtain their maximal in vitro emulsifying properties. This procedure concluded that the emulsion prepared from the soy protein hydrolysate (degree of hydrolysis (DH) 6.5%, trypsin) at pH 8 presented an optimal combination of emulsifying properties (i.e., the emulsifying activity index and emulsifying stability index). For validation purposes, a fish oil-in-water emulsion was prepared under optimal conditions, evaluating its physical and oxidative stability for ten days of storage. This study confirmed that the use of soy protein hydrolysate as an emulsifier stabilized the droplet size distribution and retarded lipid oxidation within the storage period, compared to the use of a non-hydrolyzed soy protein isolate.

It is important to explore the use of alternative ingredients for soybean and fishmeal in aquaculture feeds because the demand and cost for those ingredients are expected to increase in the near future and long-term. Meanwhile, the food processing industry produces large quantities of wastes that often contain organic solids and nutrients (e.g. nitrogen waste and phosphorus) which can be converted in microbial protein (bioflocs) using suspended growth biological reactors. Bioflocs that were collected from such a reactor that treats confectionary food processing effluent water were dried and in shrimp feed as a replacement for soybean and fishmeal. A control diet (without bioflocs) was compared to three diets that replaced soybean (10, 20, and 30% biofloc inclusion) and two diets that replaced fishmeal (10 and 20% biofloc inclusion). The control and biofloc diets were formulated to be equivalent for levels of crude protein, total fat, crude fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Five juvenile shrimp were stocked per tank and each dietary treatment was tested using 8 replicates over a 35day feeding trial. Dietary treatments had some impact on shrimp performance. No differences (P>0.05) in shrimp performance were observed between the control and the diets that included bioflocs for survival (97.5 to 100%), growth (2.16 to 2.40g/wk), harvest biomass (687 to 732g/m2), or food conversion ratio (1.50 to 1.66). These results indicate the bioflocs harvested from a suspended growth biological reactor that treats food effluent water can successfully be used in shrimp diets.Alternative & sustainable protein source for shrimp culture.

Eight multicannulated heifers (average BW 415 +/- 34 kg) were used in a replicated 4 X 4 Latin square to evaluate fluid milk processing wash water solids (WWS) as a dietary N source. Heifers were fed corn/cottonseed hull-based diets containing soybean meal (control, 0% WWS N) or WWS replacing soybean meal at 33, 67, or 100% of supplemental dietary N. Total tract and ruminal DM and OM digestibilities decreased linearly or cubically (P < .05) as dietary WWS N increased. Total ruminal VFA concentration (P < .05) and propionic acid molar proportion (P < .10) were greater in heifers fed 0 vs 100% WWS N. Heifers fed 0% WWS N had the greatest (P < .05) ruminal ammonia concentration at all sampling times. Dietary WWS did not affect (P > .10) ruminal pH, fluid dilution rate, fluid flow, fluid volume, or turnover time. Total tract N digestibility decreased quadratically (P < .10) with increasing WWS N in the diet. Supplemental WWS N did not affect (P > .10) flow of duodenal ammonia N or bacterial N, or efficiency of microbial N synthesis. Diets containing WWS N resulted in a cubic increase (P < .10) in duodenal flow of essential amino acids compared with 0% WWS N; however, there were no differences in small intestinal amino acid disappearance. Data indicate that WWS can replace 33% of the soybean meal N in a corn/cottonseed hull-based diet without decreasing ruminal fermentation, fluid digesta kinetics, microbial efficiency, or small intestinal amino acid utilization.

The global food demand is projected to significantly increase. To maintain global food security in the future, protein production needs to become more efficient regarding the use of limited land and water resources. Protein-rich biomass can be produced via direct air capture of CO2 with the help of H2-oxidizing bacteria and renewable electricity in a closed, climate-independent system. This quantitative literature review conservatively estimated the direct land and water use of bacterial protein production relying on secondary data for the components of the technology and for the reference protein sources. A several times higher potential protein yield per land area can be achieved by this technology with approximately one-tenth of the water use compared to that required for soybean production.

Twelve ruminally, duodenally, and ileally-cannulated Hereford heifers (average initial BW 313 +/- 20 kg) were used in a replicated experiment to evaluate dairy food processing wash water solids (WWS) as a protein source. Heifers were fed 2.8 kg of chopped (7.6 cm) hay and one of three supplements (1.5 kg/d, DM basis). Supplements were formulated to be similar in energy and contained 1.0 (control), 23.2 (WWS), and 21.6% (soybean meal; SBM) CP on an OM basis. Total N and nonammonia N entering the duodenum (g/d) were greater (P <. 10) for heifers fed WWS and SBM supplements than for controls. Bacterial N flow (g/d) at the duodenum was less (P < .10) for controls (43.9) than for WWS- (63.9) and SBM- (69.9) supplemented heifers. Feed escape N (g/d) was greater (P < .10) for WWS-fed heifers than for those fed SBM (32.1 vs 20.7 g/d, respectively). Total tract N digestion (g/d) was greatest (P < .10) for SBM, intermediate for WWS, and least for control heifers. Microbial protein synthesis (g/kg of OM intake) was enhanced (P < .10) by WWS and SBM supplementation, but efficiency of synthesis (g/kg of OM fermented) did not differ among treatments. Essential amino acid (AA) disappearance in the small intestine (g/d) was less (P < .10) for control than for the other two treatments. Nonessential AA disappearance was greatest (P < .10) for the WWS and least (P < .10) for the control treatment. Based on our short-term feeding data, WWS can be used as a protein source for ruminants, but N availability of WWS seems less than that of soybean meal.

Twelve ruminally, duodenally, and ileally cannulated (average initial BW 313 +/- 20 kg) and 27 intact Hereford heifers (average initial BW 256 +/- 17 kg) were used in two experiments to evaluate dairy food wash water solids (WWS) as a protein source in medium-quality hay diets. Heifers received a basal diet of orchardgrass hay (7.4% CP) and were assigned to one of three supplement treatments: control (C;.9% CP), WWS (18.8% CP)-, and soybean meal (SBM 19.1% Cp)-based supplements (fed at 1.5 kg of DM/d). Supplements were formulated to have similar ME concentrations. Ruminal ammonia concentrations were greater (P <.10) for WWS- and SBM-supplemented heifers than for C heifers at most sampling times. Moreover, WWS and SBM increased (P < .10) total VFA (mM) and acetate (mol/100 mol) and lowered propionate (mol/100 mol) at several sampling times. Ruminal fluid volume (liters) was unchanged (P > .10) by treatment; however, fluid dilution and flow rate (liters/h) were less (P < .10) in C heifers than in heifers fed SBM or WWS supplements. Wash water solids and SBM supplementation increased (P < .10) OM, NDF, and ADF digestibilities compared with C heifers. Feeding WWS and SBM supplements increased BW at 84 d (P < .10) compared with C-supplemented heifers. Forage intake at 54 and 84 d by heifers supplemented with SBM or WWS was greater (P < .10) than by C heifers. Control-supplemented heifers had the least, WWS intermediate, and SBM the greatest ADG at 84 d (P < .10; .14 vs .35 vs .48 kg/d, respectively). These data indicate that WWS may be used as a protein source without serious adverse effects in heifers consuming medium-quality hay for 84 d.