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Preliminary Data on Essential and Non-essential Element Occurrence in Processed Animal Proteins from Insects

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Abstract

Insects represent a valuable and environmentally friendly protein alternative in food and feed. The Farm to Fork strategy encouraged the reintroduction of animal by-products in feed production to optimise recycling and to valorise under-used resources. In order to grant safe and valuable feed products, this study investigated the black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) chemical risk. Samples collected in different steps of production (8 samples of substrate for culturing, 7 samples of larvae, 15 samples of protein meal, 18 samples of spent substrate) were analysed for microessential elements (chromium, copper, iron, nickel, selenium and zinc) and inorganic contaminants (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, tin and vanadium) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Microessential elements were found in the following order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Se > Cr (mg kg−1). Non-essential element concentrations were found lower than the set limits according to the European Union Regulations. The growing demand for alternative protein sources for feed production could be partially compensated by black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) meal, as it appears a good source for high-quality proteins and microessential elements which play a pivotal role in animal growth. In the foreseeable future the current legislation and the official monitoring plans may be implemented and broaden, to focus and assess limits for upcoming matrices, and to ensure feed and food safety.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Veronica Pederiva for her precious tips in data analysis.

Funding

This research was funded by the Piedmont Region (CLEVER – Piedmont Region Innovation Pole Energy and Clean Technologies).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154, Turin, Italy

    Sabina Pederiva, Rosa Avolio, Daniela Marchis, Maria Cesarina Abete & Stefania Squadrone

  2. Italian National Reference Laboratory of Animal Proteins in Feed, Turin, Italy

    Sabina Pederiva & Daniela Marchis

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  1. Sabina Pederiva
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  2. Rosa Avolio
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  3. Daniela Marchis
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study. Material preparation and data collection were performed by Sabina Pederiva. Resources were provided by Daniela Marchis. Methodology optimisation, chemical analysis and data analysis were performed by Sabina Pederiva, Rosa Avolio and Stefania Squadrone. Statistical analysis was performed by Sabina Pederiva. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Sabina Pederiva. Activity planning and execution were in charge of Daniela Marchis and Stefania Squadrone All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript. Review and editing of the final manuscript were performed by Rosa Avolio, Stefania Squadrone and Daniela Marchis. Supervision was performed by Daniela Marchis and Maria Cesarina Abete. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Rosa Avolio.

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Pederiva, S., Avolio, R., Marchis, D. et al. Preliminary Data on Essential and Non-essential Element Occurrence in Processed Animal Proteins from Insects. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 4133–4142 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03462-6

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