NUTRITIONAL SAFETY IN INSECT BY-PRODUCTS FOR PET FOOD

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.61724020215

• Palavras-chave: Produção de insetos, subprodutos, insetos alimentícios, entomocultura, nutrição animal

• Keywords: Production of insects, by-products, food insects, insect farming, animal nutrition

• Abstract: The production of insects for animal feed emerges as a sustainable alternative, standing out for its efficiency in land use compared to conventional animal production. Characterized by a rapid life cycle, insects allow massive production, taking advantage of by-products from the agri-food industry as food substrate, avoiding competition with more expensive ingredients intended for human and animal food. In addition to having low greenhouse gas emissions, zootechnical entomoculture benefits economic efficiency with more sustainable production systems. In the PET FOOD industry, insects stand out for containing significant levels of protein, essential amino acids, fatty acids, macro and microminerals, vitamins, peptides with biological activity and chitin with prebiotic action. Insect farming demonstrates socioeconomic viability, providing subsistence and business opportunities on different scales. However, given the advances in the production of biomass from food insects, it is essential to understand the risks associated with consumption by dogs and cats.