Sponsored by PROTIX
Challenging times
Fish farmers face numerous challenges, including climate change, rising costs, regulatory requirements, plus complex and opaque supply chains. They equally need to address consumers’ environmental concerns, while maintaining fish quality and preserving their own profitability. Functional insect ingredients from Protix that deliver health and performance benefits beyond basic nutrition are proving to be a game-changer.
Functional insect ingredients making waves
Insects are a natural part of the diet of many aquatic animals, such as Atlantic salmon. Protix enhances this inherent goodness to produce functional ingredients such as ProteinX. ProteinX is a milled, partially physically defatted and dried insect meal derived from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens). Insect meal made from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) is one of the few insect species approved by the European Union for use as feed in aquaculture.
Protix’s black soldier fly protein is rich in essential amino acids; chitin, which is part of the natural diet of many aquatic organisms; lauric acid, which is known for its antimicrobial properties; phospholipids; and other fatty acids – all compounds that can deliver functional benefits in salmonids and crustaceans feed.
Insects take to the water
On-farm trials have demonstrated that the functional properties of Protix ingredients can improve fish performance and quality, as well as farmers’ profitability. For example, a study conducted by Aller Aqua Research and Development, in collaboration with NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences and farmer Austevoll Melaks, showed a positive effect on yield, fillet quality, and taste when just 4% ProteinX black soldier fly meal was incorporated into salmon feed at the cost of conventional soy protein concentrate.
Atlantic salmon fed a diet with ProteinX reached an average weight of around 9.6% more than the control group (4,669 grams versus 4,260 grams). Gutted weight was also 12.5% higher.
Quality was measured in terms of firmness, gaping, colouration and melanin spots. The fish fed with ProteinX outperformed the benchmark across all criteria.
In a sensory panel, 70% of the tasters preferred the flavor of the salmon fed with ProteinX in the feed, and there was an increase across all sensory aspects compared with the control diet.
It should be noted that these results were obtained from a large-scale commercial operation and not in the restrictions of a tank.
Figure 1. ProteinX delivers improved salmon fillet quality
Figure 2. Tasters rate the sensory properties of ProteinX highly
Unique results from ProteinX
These impressive results could not be achieved by other insect proteins put to the test. For ProteinX, Protix utilizes a wet production process that adheres to the most stringent quality standards. The result is a premium insect meal of unparalleled quality.
Complete control is a key tenet of Protix’s success. As Michel van Spankeren, business developer at Protix, observes: “Having both the farming and the ingredient production under one roof gives us an extremely high level of control.”
Insects add up
To make life easier for farmers considering a switch to insect-based feed, Protix has developed an easy-to-use Profits Calculator. Farmers simply input their farm size, the salmon price, and desired profit margins per kg and the tool calculates the precise impact on the farm’s profits versus the costs of including 4% ProteinX.
As well as the potential to boost profits, there is also the possibility to reduce the environmental cost of salmon farming, speaking of which….
….greening-up
Adding to the challenges, the seafood industry is also under pressure to cater to consumer demand for products that preserve natural resources. Protix insect ingredients come into their own here, as evidenced by impressive Life Cycle Assessment data obtained from an independent review by the respected German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL).
The results, based on real-life data and thus representing true impact on the planet, show that ProteinX lowers CO2 emissions by as much as 89% and returns around 99.6% more land back to nature compared to soy protein concentrate.
“We can offer our clients a double functionality: they can reduce the environmental impact, and feed accounts for a big part of the footprint, as well as improving the performance of their fish. We strongly encourage farmers to get in touch so we can support them through trials in their own situation,” says Piotr Postepski, CCO at Protix.
Protix profits calculator
A bright future
Given the outstanding results achieved in real conditions to date, Protix is very excited for the future of its functional insect ingredients in aquafeed. Given their environmental, nutritional and financial benefits, functional insect ingredients are likely to play an increasing part in aquafeed of the future.
A strategic partnership with global giant Tyson Foods will see a massive scale-up with a production facility established in the USA. Plans for a facility in Asia through a partnership with another party are also on the horizon.
Protix is keen to build long-term partnerships with feed producers and farmers. Big names in the industry are now getting on board.
“We are on the brink of reshaping the aquafeed seascape. There is everything to gain by putting ProteinX to the test, and we look forward to supporting farmers and feed manufacturers in landing some big catches,” concludes Michel.
