Search

While the concept of insect based feeds (IBFs) promises great potential, especially in developing countries, the sustainability performance of IBF production remains widely underexplored. Drawing on experimental data from rearing trials in West Africa, three different insect production systems were modelled ex-ante. The generic models served as a basis to analyse and compare the process performances of different IBF production systems using Musca domestica and Hermetia illucens reared on different substrates. The results show that the input efficiency in the production of IBF is largely determined by the quality of rearing substrates, the larval development time and the employed inoculation practises, i.e., the method by which eggs or larvae are added to rearing substrates. The H. illucens system ranked highest for conversion efficiency (substrate input per IBF output), but showed substantially higher inputs in labour, fossil energy and output of wastewater. M. domestica systems operated at lower conversion efficiencies, which resulted in higher outputs of residue substrates, together with higher emissions, land requirements, built infrastructure and water. By offering full disclosure of generic inventory data, this study provides data and inspiration for prospect research and development activities and offers a reference to future life cycle assessments (LCAs) on IBF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Study explores the environmental impact of insect based feeds (IBFs) in West Africa. • Three IBF production models are ex-ante assessed using life cycle assessments. • Impacts of IBFs are mostly determined by environmental loads of rearing substrates. • IBF production designs show environmental disadvantages over plant based feeds. • IBF systems using low-value substrates show impacts comparable to fishmeal. While the idea of using insect based feeds (IBFs) offers great potential, especially in developing countries, the environmental impact of implementation remains poorly researched. This study investigates the environmental performance of IBF production in the geographical context of West Africa. Drawing on published life cycle inventory (LCIs) data, the impact of three different IBF production systems were ex-ante evaluated (ReCiPe method) and compared to conventional feed resources. The explorative life cycle study provides a basis for trade-off analysis between different insect rearing systems (Musca domestica and Hermetia illucens) and provides insights on the environmental performance of IBF in comparison with conventional animal- and plant based protein feeds (fishmeal, cottonseed and soybean meal). The impacts of IBFs were shown to be largely determined by rearing techniques and the environmental loads of rearing substrates, attesting advantages to the rearing of housefly (M. domestica) larvae on chicken manure and the use of natural oviposition, i.e., substrate inoculation through naturally occurring flies. A comparison with conventional feeds pointed out the environmental disadvantages of current IBF production designs (especially in comparison to plant based feeds) that were largely attributable to their different position in the trophic network (decomposers) and the systems' sub-standard capacity utilisation (insufficient economy of scale effect). When larvae are reared on substrates of low economic value (i.e., waste streams), IBF impacts were comparable to fishmeal. The results of the comparative assessment also highlighted a methodological limitation in the ReCiPe method, which does not account for impacts related to the use of biotic resources. As a consequence, the utilization of naturally grown resources, such as wild anchoveta, was treated as an ecosystem service of no environmental charge, providing disproportionate advantages to the fishmeal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]