Replacement of soy by mealworms for livestock feed - A comparative review between soy and mealworms considering environmental aspects
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15106974 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Shahida Anusha Siddiqui (0000-0001-6942-4408, German Institute of Food Technologies, corresponding author), Wadah Elsheikh (0000-0003-2506-2219, University of Khartoum), İlknur Ucak (0000-0002-9701-0824, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi), Muzaffar Hasan (0000-0001-5077-3050, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering), Zerlina Cleantha Perlita (Diponegoro University), Bara Yudhistira (0000-0001-8945-1454, Sebelas Maret University) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | 29105-29148 |
| Publication date | 2024-05-02 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environment Development and Sustainability (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1387-585X • E-ISSN: 1573-2975 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10668-024-04874-1 |
| OpenAlex | W4396573559 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 150 |
The urgent need for sustainable alternatives to conventional livestock feed has prompted research into novel protein sources. This review paper systematically evaluates the prospect of replacing soy with mealworms in livestock feed, focusing on comprehensive comparisons of nutritional content and environmental considerations. The nutritional profiles of soy and mealworms are analyzed in terms of amino acid composition and digestibility. The total essential amino acids in mealworms are 26.02 g/100 g while in mealworms total EAA is 31.49 g/100 g. The protein content in mealworm is high (51.93 g/100 g) in comparison to soy meal (44.51 g/100 g). Environmental aspects, including deforestation, pesticide use, water consumption, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions, are scrutinized for both soy cultivation and mealworm farming.One kg of mealworm meal yields 141.3 MJ energy use, 3.8 kg CO 2 equivalent for climate change, 25.6 g SO 2 equivalent for acidification, 15.0 g PO 4 equivalent for eutrophication, and 4.1 m 2 land use. It's more potent per kg of protein than soybean or fish meal. Feasibility, scalability, and economic considerations are explored to understand the practical implications for livestock farmers. Consumer perception and regulatory frameworks are also addressed, highlighting potential challenges and strategies for acceptance. The paper concludes by synthesizing key findings and offering recommendations for stakeholders interested in the sustainable integration of mealworms into mainstream livestock agriculture. This comparative review provides a holistic understanding of the potential environmental benefits and challenges associated with replacing soy with mealworms in livestock feed. Graphical abstract
Biology · Livestock · Soy bean · Soy protein · Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact · Insect Pest Control Strategies · Insect Utilization and Effects · Biotechnology · Ecology · Food Science
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |