“This is the first time that we push the percentage of insect protein at this level and on such a large scale.”
Aquafeed reports that Le Gouessant – a fish feed manufacturer located in Lamballe, Brittany, France, has worked with fly protein producers InnovaFeed on a new trial.
This was the first time that 100% of the fishmeal has been substituted by high-quality insect protein derived from black soldier fly larvae, InnovaFeed claimed.
The results of the first trial were released in Paris during July’s ‘Journées de la Recherche Piscicole’ conference organised by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Itavi (the institute for applied research and development for poultry, rabbit and fish farming) and the CIA (Interprofessional Committee for Aquaculture Products France).
“This is the first time that we push the percentage of insect protein at this level and on such a large scale,” said InnovaFeed Co-founder Guillaume Gras.
“The results of the trial confirm the interest for this innovative source of protein and the potential to totally substitute fishmeal by insect meal in a commercial trout feed. These good results are encouraging to launch other studies in the future, on other aquaculture species or to further explore the effects of insect meal on fish health,” Gras said.
Last year, InnovaFeed partnered up with Tereos, a cooperative sugar group in France that processes agricultural raw materials into sugar, alcohol and starch.
Over the past three years, the French company has led multiple trials demonstrating that its insect protein can be an effective alternative to fishmeal used in salmon or shrimp feed with equal or improved performance.
In June, InnovaFeed partnered up with feed giant Cargill and to market insect feed on an industrial scale.
