Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as an alternative protein source in fish feed
- Journal of Aquaculture & Marine Biology
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Seval Dernekbaşi, Bahadır Tunahan Karadayi
Abstract
The rapid growth of aquaculture has increased the demand for fish meal and fish oil, essential components of fish feed, leading to higher production costs due to dwindling global supplies. As the industry seeks sustainable alternatives, insects, particularly the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), are emerging as a viable protein source. With a nutritional profile comparable to fish meal and low environmental impact, insects offer an efficient and economical solution for feed production. The European Union’s approval of mealworms for both animal feed and human consumption highlights their potential to support food security and environmental sustainability amidst rising global protein demands.
Keywords
aquaculture, fish meal, yellow mealworm, environmental impact, animal feed