Use of innovative protein sources in animal nutrition
Coordinator : Gasco Laura
Members : Acuti Gabriele, Bani Paolo, Dalle Zotte Antonella, Danieli Pier Paolo, De Angelis Anna, Fortina Riccardo, Marino Rosaria, Parisi Giuliana, Piccolo Giovanni, Pinotti Luciano, Prandini Aldo, Roncarati Alessandra, Schiavone Achille, Terova Genciana, Tulli Francesca.
Objectives:
The Commission's objective is to:
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analyze the state of the art relating to the use of innovative protein flours (insects, microalgae, waste from the processing of products of animal origin) in the feeding of species of zootechnical interest;
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assess the impact that the use of these protein sources can produce on the state of animal welfare, on the quality of products and in consumer perception, with reference to the national context;
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evaluate new technologies to be used for the treatment of protein sources already used, such as plant ones.
In the analysis of innovative protein sources, the effects on production, sustainability, product quality, risk assessment on the environment and animals are taken into consideration.
The Commission's objective is also to participate jointly in national and international calls.
Activities :
In addition to meetings that took place in various locations (Florence, Milan, Perugia), there were moments of meeting through electronic exchanges as well as exchanges of e-mails.
The Commission's activities can be summarized below:
1) On the occasion of the Scienza Attiva initiative, special edition EXPO2015 (www.scienzattiva.eu), an event that saw the participation of 99 institutes and 242 classes, a document "Insects in animal nutrition" was created which is was made available on the site and which aroused considerable interest. On 13 May 2015, a final event was organized in the Aula Magna of the University of Turin, in which Prof. Gasco, Coordinator of the Commission, participated as a representative of the same.
2) On the occasion of the ASPA2015 conference, 4 posters were presented in the name of the entire Commission, namely:
Daniele et al .: Insect rearing as a sustainable source of animal protein: state of the art and perspectives
Fortina et al .: Farming insects for feeding pigs: constraints and opportunities
Gasco et al .: Insects as innovative protein source for fish feeds: a brief review
Schiavone et al .: Insect rearing as a sustainable source of animal protein: state of the art and perspectives
3) Some members of the Commission participated in the Round Table "Breeding of edible insects: research, opportunities and precautions" and prepared the document "Quality and safety of insect-based feed" (Coordinator of the thematic area: Prof. Mario Colombo, UniMi ). The document ( http://www.edibleinsects.it/whitepaper_dwld/ ) is part of the white paper that was presented at EXPO 2015, in the Italian Pavilion, on 27 July 2015. The project was coordinated and developed by the Humanitarian Society with the International Exhibition of Research, Innovation and Food Safety and coordinated by Andrea Mascaretti. The publication collected the results of multidisciplinary research conducted by various researchers, universities and research centers, an all-Italian network of entomologists, dieticians, nutritionists, veterinarians and experts in various other humanistic disciplines (communication, sociology, consumer psychology, etc.) .
The document constitutes a manifesto on entomophagy to support the food sustainability of the future and the launch of a large-scale development cooperation project to disseminate experiences and good practices in the sector aimed at making it possible to increase food productivity with food systems. sustainable, healthy and safe, sufficient for world needs. As part of this project, a video was also made (available at the link https://vimeo.com/129470280 ) in which Prof. Gasco describes the research activity relating to the use of insect flours in animal nutrition which involves his group.
4) On the occasion of the ASPA 2017 National Convention, held in Perugia in June 2017, on 13/06 a satellite symposium entitled "Proteins was organized in the Aula Magna of the Department of Veterinary Medicine - University of Perugia. innovative in animal nutrition ".
5) On the occasion of the ASPA 2017 National Conference, Prof. Gasco gave a lecture by invitation entitled "Insects as sustainable feed ingredients".
6) On the occasion of the 69th Annuak Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) held in Dubrovnik from 27 to 31 August 2018, Prof. Gasco delivered, also on behalf of the Commission, an invited lecture entitled "Insects in animal feed: beyond the protein concept ".
Project activity
A significant part of the Commission, jointly with other researchers, participated in the following project activities:
- PRIN project 2015 call (Prot. 2015YWS9W7): Innovative proteins from insects: safety and sustainability of feed for monogastrics (PRISMA)
- project PRIN 2017 call (Prot. 2017RRBYAW): Insect Lauric acid and Chitin in Animal Nutrition (LaChY-Feed)
- COST Action Proposal OC-2016-1-20730: Cost-effective, resource efficient, safe and eco-friendly insects for Europe. Coordinator: Michelle Epstein (University of Vienna, Austria). Total researchers involved: 170.
- COST Action Proposal OC-2016-2-21511: Cost-effective, resource efficient, safe and eco-friendly insects for Europe (this project reproposed what was presented during the COST OC-2016-1-20730). Coordinator: Michelle Epstein (University of Vienna, Austria). Total researchers involved: 149.
NEWS :
Publications :
Two articles published in the Tecnica Molitoria magazine were given to the press which, in addition to the authors, involves the entire commission:
Gasco L., Schiavone A., Parisi G. (2015). Use of insects in feeding fish and chickens - Part I. Milling technique, 66 (11), 854-867;
Gasco L., Schiavone A., Parisi G. (2015). Use of insects in fish and chicken feed - Part 2. Milling Technique, 66 (12), 938-949)
An article is currently being drafted for submission to the IJAS.