Present and Perspective on Insect Biotechnology

Abstract

Insects are the most successful organisms on earth in terms of their diversity and adaptability. Insect biotechnology using this insect resource is an emerging area for future biotechnology with various applications. Insect resources have long been used to make food and/or functional food, feed, cosmetics as well as medicine and industrial ingredients. Recently, one of the most well-known industrial material from insect is spider silk that could be commercialize in near future. The insect cell lines have been used to express recombinant proteins that were difficult to be functional expression. For public purpose, while, the insect could be good amenity source and plant farming, so leisure resource. Only the interdisciplinary research will guarantee the successful story for insect biotechnology. And biochemical engineers should used insect as a bioresource for new products with applications in medicine, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology in near future. This review will cover state-of-the art of this field and the research and application areas of insect biotechnology and the possible role of biochemical engineer for the development of the future biotechnology using this bioresource.

Effects of Brewer's spent grain (BSG) on larval growth of mealworms, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

“…This process is 4 ~ 9 times efficient compared to other livestock. Insects including mealworms, black soldier flies, grasshoppers and crickets are identified as a promising candidate for an essential protein ingredient for animal feed because they are rich in essential amino acids (Choi et al, 2015). Especially, mealworms are known as a feed ingredient with fats, proteins, various amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and minerals (Kim et al, 2014;Huang et al, 2006;Huang et al, 2007;Huang et al, 2011;Ye et al, 1997;Yoo et al, 2013).…”

Growth Optimization and Rearing of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) as a Sustainable Food Source

“…They can survive on organic waste [5]. Mealworms can be raised purely on wheat bran, although organic matter, i.e., potatoes, cabbage, and carrots are usually added to their meals to offer essential nutrients [14,15].…”