Insects as an alternative protein source
As concerns about sustainability are growing worldwide, the international feed industry, and also manufacturers of machines and plants for this industry, have started to explore a new path. In particular, the use of alternative protein sources in animal nutrition is examined from different angles: both in terms of technology and animal nutrition.
Due to the high demand for meat by an ever-increasing world population and the resulting impact on the environment, the development of alternatives to meat or fish meal is becoming an exciting and increasingly important field of research. Today, there are two advanced industrial processes that are used for protein extraction from larvae. One of them is known as dry processing, which involves the extraction of fat from the larvae in a screw press like in oil milling and separating the fat phase from the high-protein solid phase. The second method is called wet processing, in which the liquid, solid and fat phases of the pre-ground larvae are separated by means of a 3-phase-decanter. The liquid phase that still contains protein is then evaporated and added to the solid phase.
The well-known, internationally operating machine manufacturer AMANDUS KAHL supplies the complete concept for these core processes taking into account the plant requirements. It comprises the reception of the larvae – mostly in the rearing boxes with the substrate bed – and the required pre-cleaning. The cleaning of the larvae is followed by devitalisation, which involves killing the larvae by steaming. Depending on the method, this step is followed either by drying and extraction in the screw press or by pre-grinding and phase separation in the decanter. Subsequently, the high-protein solid phases are finely ground, as necessary, and can then either be packaged or, for example, dosed directly into a downstream feed production line. The fat or oil phase obtained from the larvae can also be purified before the oil is sold or used as an energy source in animal feed. AMANDUS KAHL not only offers equipment for larva processing, but also for conditioning of the initially separated larva substrate and of frass using the tried and tested flat die pellet mill. In this process, fertiliser pellets and soil conditioners are produced by mixing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium (NPK) into the substrate and frass.
The KAHL Group has been successfully active in the feed industry for more than 140 years and benefits from a broad range of well-proven processes. The machinery and plant manufacturer cultivates a close scientific cooperation with the International Research Association of Feed Technology (IFF), Braunschweig. The institute not only conducts practical trials under realistic production conditions, but also hosts lectures and symposia. Moreover, the institute offers a platform for a regular exchange on the latest findings in insect processing and much more.
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