Sept. 1, 2014: The project "Bioresource insect" - evaluation of biodiversity as a basis for the establishment of novel biosystems for the bioconversion of plant residues into high quality protein" aims at the enormous potential of insects as an alternative protein source. The project is embedded in the Leibniz Research Alliance "Biodiversity" and is funded with seed money by the Leibniz Association.
Within the taxonomy of animals insects make up the class with the highest biodiversity. Currently, over a million species of insects are described, however, it is estimated that there are up to two million species worldwide. The project "Bioresource insect" targets the enormous potential of insects as alternative protein source. In the face of the increasing human population and changing dietary habits the overall aim is to develop solutions to meet the rising global demand for food of animal origin in a climate-friendly way. Additionally, due to the fact that available land for producing of vegetable and animal protein is declining - as consequence of desertification and urbanization - and fossil fuels are diminishing, land management in the future has to consequently follow sustainability rules.
Currently, the theme "insects as an alternative protein source" is part of ATB's research program "Quality and safety of food and feed". The research on insects opens up the potential of an alternative protein resource and helps to establish new paths for exploiting biomass that is yet widely untapped.
One of the primary tasks of the project "Bioresource insect" includes the establishment of a database of useful insects. ATB scientist Dr. Birgit Rumpold will present the theme "Insects and biodiversity - opportunities and challenges" at the „Conference - Biodiversity and Food Security – From Trade-offs to Synergies“ which will be held in Aix-en-Provence / France, 29-31 October 2014. The aim of the conference is to discuss the interaction between biodiversity and food security in the context of ecological, economic and sociological challenges to gain a holistic understanding of the issues involved.
Contact: Dr. Birgit Rumpold and Dr. Michael Klocke