BLACK SOLDIER FLY : INSECT TO FEED FOR FOOD SECURITY.

There is growing demand for animal products for human nutrition, despite the popularity of plant-based diets. This means more feed is needed for animals.

 Future feed stuffs will need to be produced without exacerbating deforestation. Insects and microalgae are up-and-coming sectors to meet protein demands for humans and animals. Therefore, researchers investigated whether these alternative protein sources alter meat quality.

BLACK SOLDIER FLY=BLACK GOLD.

In a study conducted as a part of the project Sustainability Transitions in the Food Production. Broiler chickens were fattened using feed with the main protein sources being soybean meal, spirulina, or insects.

 Animal growth, meat quality (especially concerning shelf life), and eating quality were investigated. Their results of laboratory testing and sensory (taste-testing) analyses across 132 birds show that black soldier fly larvae meal and spirulina can be included in poultry feed without negatively impacting quality.

    LEARN HOW TO START BLACK SOLDIER FLY FARMING.

 Chickens fed with black soldier fly larvae meal produce meat equivalent to the status quo. Chickens fed with spirulina produce meat with a more intensive color and flavour. 

         BENEFITS OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY.

 "Overall, both prove to be potential soybean meal alternatives in the search for new protein sources for animal feed," as explained by the study lead researcher Dr Brianne Altmann. Research.

#Blacksoldierfly    #Blacksoldierflylarvae.    #Blacksoldierflyfarming.

AgriProtein, a startup produce maggots from waste to feed animals.

 AgriProtein ,a startup grows maggots from waste to feed animals. AgriProtein. The world urgently needs new sustainable sources of protein.

 A growing population, scarce water and land resources, and declining natural fish stocks make this more critical than ever.

 Industrial farming of chickens, pigs and fish relies on protein from two sources: land-based grains and marine captured fish meal.

Agricultural protein requires vast amounts of land and water, while the sea-caught alternative has material consequences for marine life. Increased global food demand and environmental limits have caused prices of both protein sources to soar in recent years.

  AgriProtein ,a startup grows maggots from waste to feed animals. AgriProtein is leading a new industry called nutrient recycling.

 It is a business that grows maggots from waste collected from markets,farms, households and businesses. The maggots are processed into a highly nutritious protein supplement that substitutes fish meal in animal feed.

 Using fly larvae fed on existing organic waste, AgriProtein has developed and tested a new large scale and sustainable source of natural protein.


 The bio-conversion process takes organic waste streams from food factories, supermarkets, farms and restaurants, and recycles these into valuable products: an insect based complete protein – MagMeal™, an extracted fat – MagOil™ and a rich residual soil conditioner – MagSoil™. Agriprotein.

Agribusiness : Echbee garri-shawarma.

Agribusiness : Echbee garri-shawarma. The cassava value chain is an evolving one, with various chains and subsets that is poised to produce wealth alongside nutritious meals. Cassava processing into garri is just a part of the chain while the production of several other nutritious products from garri is the extension of the chain adding more value down the line.Agribusiness : Echbee garri-shawarma. Cassava recipe; how to make shawarma from garri.  Cassava recipe, delicious, #nutritious meals/snacks from garri. #c

RESEARCH : Caffeine from four cups of coffee protects the heart with the help of mitochondria.

RESEARCH : Caffeine from four cups of coffee protects the heart with the help of mitochondria. A new study shows that a caffeine concentration equivalent to four cups of coffee promotes the movement of a regulatory protein into mitochondria, enhancing their function and protecting cardiovascular cells from damage. RESEARCH : Caffeine from four cups of coffee protects the heart with the help of mitochondria. Caffeine consumption has been associated with lower risks for multiple diseases, including type II diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, but the mechanism underlying these protective effects has been unclear. RESEARCH : Caffeine from four cups of coffee protects the heart with the help of mitochondria. The study now shows that caffeine promotes the movement of a regulatory protein into mitochondria, enhancing their function and protecting cardiovascular cells from damage.

HOW TO PRODUCE MEAL WORMS AT HOME.

A research from Bard College in New York state, states that beef is among the most environmentally troubling products to farm. This is because it requires 160 times more land per calorie than wheat, rice and potatoes, and creates 11 times more greenhouse gases. Inspired by a study of industrial meat production, Katharina Unger has found an answer: mealworms, which contain a similar amount of protein content to red meat. The Austrian industrial designer has developed a desktop hive, the, LIVIN Farm Hive, that lets you harvest protein grown on your desk. The device, which is 61 cm tall and resembles a chest of drawers, is designed to sit on a kitchen worktop and produce 200g to 500g of mealworms per week. Mealworm pupae are put into the top and develop into beetles in a drawer below. These breed and lay eggs that fall into the next drawer down the stack. Once they hatch, the worms drop down as they mature, ending up the bottom of the hive, ready to be frozen and then prepared. See

Horse dung has scientists on scent of antibiotic success

The key to creating the next generation of antibiotics could lie in horse dung. That's according to researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Bonn who have produced copsin, an antibiotic protein compound, in the common inky cap mushroom that grows in manure. A new protein with antibiotic properties has been found in a mushroom that grows on horse dung. Researchers are now exploring the various potential applications.Microbiologists and molecular biologists at ETH Zurich and the University of Bonn have discovered a new agent in fungi that kills bacteria. The substance, known as copsin, has the same effect as traditional antibiotics, but belongs to a different class of biochemical substances. Copsin is a protein, whereas traditional antibiotics are often non-protein organic compounds. Copsin belongs to the group of defensins, a class of small proteins produced by many organisms to combat microorganisms that cause disease. The human body also produces defensins to protect itself against infections. They have been found, for example, on the skin and in the mucous membranes. story from science daily.

SEAWEEDS A NEW OPTION AS ANIMAL FEED.

Seaweeds include brown algae (Phaeophyceae), red algae (Rhodophyceae) and green algae (Chlorophyceae). Seaweeds are valuable alternative feeds for livestock, mostly as sources of valuable nutrients, notably chelated micro-minerals, the availability of which is higher than that of inorganic ones. Brown algae are of lesser nutritional value than red and green algae, due to their lower protein content and higher mineral content; however brown algae contain a number of bioactive compounds. The use of algae as animal feed is promising, as they are sustainable, contain lots of protein and result in more omega 3 in eggs and milk. There is also evidence that they help young cattle grow better. A research in Netherland shows the benefits of algae in feed; Processing algae in animal feed is probably not the first thing that occurs to producers, but the green stuff seems highly appropriate for this purpose. Studies show that using algae as animal feed ensures better quality eggs, milk and possibly meat, and that it boosts growth in piglets, chickens and lambs, among others. "In addition, algae are rich in protein," says Wageningen UR algae expert Rommie van der Weide. "This makes them an interesting alternative to soy, which often has to be transported across long distances – from South America. Algae are produced in photo bioreactors and open ponds, making as much use as possible of the residue streams from a biogas plant. The algae grown here are used in animal feed, mineral licks and a feed supplement for horses. Source;all about feed.

NEW INSIGHTS ABOUT INSECT INCLUSION IN ANIMAL DIET.

The EC-funded PROteINSECT project has today released an up-to-date review and analysis of the current status of insects as a viable, sustainable, additional source of protein for use in animal feed in Europe. 

 In 2015, fish, poultry, and pig feeding trials are being conducted in 2015 in Europe (Belgium and UK) based on PROteINSECT UK derived insect protein whereas, fish and chicken feeding trials will be conducted in China, Mali and Ghana with insect protein being sourced from PROteINSECT partners within each country. 

 According to PROteINSECT, consumers are willing to consume food from animals that received insects in the feed, as long it is mentioned on the food label, according to the majority. The contribution that insects can make to addressing the protein deficit and to help address the global challenge of future food security.

 Insects are rich in protein and are a natural component of the diets of carnivorous fish and freerange poultry. Fly larvae can be reared on a wide range of wastes and by-products and offer a potential way of recovering value from materials that may be disposed of by agriculture and food industries. 

 House fly and black soldier fly production systems have showed favourable results in terms of their space requirements but considerable improvement within the systems that PROteINSECT has evaluated is required to improve the heating related energy usage and water consumption.

The supply of organic waste is increasing along with demand for animal products; production of insect protein presents an opportunity to produce low value waste and produce high value products for inclusion in animal feed. read more ; world poultry.

DDGS and enzymes make a good mix in broiler diets.

Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) is the result of extracting ethanol from grains through dry milling. The average level of protein contained in the DDGS is 26% (as fed). The level of total Lysine is higher than in corns with low digestibility (60-70%). In the case of sulphur amino acids, the digestibility is a little bit higher (70-75%). If we take a finisher standard diet for broilers (28-42 days for birds) based on corn and soy with a 15% inclusion of DDGS as an example, the level of protein in the diet is nearly 20%, with digestible lysine that represents 5% of the total and moderated levels of sulphur amino acids and threonine digestible (12% and 13% respectively). The content of unsaturated fat is high (5-10%). The hydrolysis process and the drying to which the product is submitted increases the concentration of free fatty acids. Between different authors, the ME can vary between 2,600 and 2,950 Kcal, depending fundamentally on the composition, processes and digestibility coefficients from different fractions. The content of total phosphorus is high, with high availability, resulting in 0.45-0.55% of avail-able phosphorus. They can also contain high levels of xanthophyll, which can improve pigmentation; up to 35 mg/kg were found in DDGS. The levels of crude fibre obtained analytically are in excess of 10%. Almost all the starch has been converted to ethanol, so that a big concentration of non-starch polysaccharides and especially cell-wall components exists. This is why the use of exogenous enzymes is presented as an alternative; to increase the efficient use of nutrients in diets formulated with DDGS. DDGS can be a good alternative ingredient in diets for broilers. Its use in combination with a multi-enzymatic complex, combined with an extra dose of phytase, can help to achieve optimal performance. A few trials, conducted in Argentina, are described here; In the first assay, 640 male broilers were distributed between 32 floor pens according to a randomised, complete block design. With 20 birds per pen, it consisted of four treatments with diets containing 15% of DDGS: A-diet with a normal energy level; B-diet with a low level of energy (-150Kcal) and a 50g dose of multi-enzymatic complex (xylanase, amylase and protease); C-diet with a low level of energy (-150Kcal) and a 100g dose of multi-enzymatic complex (xylanase, amylase and protease); D-diet with a normal energy level and 100g dose of a bacterial phytase (dose equal to 1,000 FTU). The feeding plan consisted of a pre-starter for up to 10 days, a starter from 11 to 21 days, and a finisher up to 42 days. Although statistical differences were not found with the statistical methods used, numerically speaking, the diets formulated with DDGS with a low level of energy and the addition of multi-enzymatic complex resulted in higher body weight (Table 1) and less feed conversion than DDGS diets with normal levels of energy without the addition of enzymes. The DDGS used contained 10% crude fibre. The addition of multi-enzymatic complex increased the digestibility of diets with a greater fibre content. The addition of 1,000 FTU of phytase (750 FTU formulated and 250 FT on top) to DDGS diets with normal levels of energy resulted in better weight and less feed conversion than the rest of the treatments. The addition of an extra dose of phytase would allow benefits to be gained from other nutrients, not only phosphorus. read more about research ;http://www.allaboutfeed.net/Nutrition/Raw-Materials/2015/12/DDGS-and-enzymes-make-a-good-mix-in-broiler-diets-2721468W/

Similar proteins protect the skin of humans and turtles.

A new study shows the similarities between the skin of turtles and man. The turtle shell is a highly successful concept of evolutionary development and its defensive function clearly distinguishes turtles and tortoises from other reptiles. In the study, the working group led by Leopold Eckhart investigated the genes responsible for the skin layers of the shell of the European terrapin and a North American species of turtle, in order to compare them with the genes of human skin. The study findings suggest that a hard shell was formed as the result of mutations in a group of genes known as the Epidermal Differentiation Complex (EDC). Comparisons of genome data from various reptiles suggest that the EDC mutations responsible occurred when turtles split off from other reptiles around 250 million years ago. This new study shows that evolutionarily related genes have a protective function both in humans and also in tortoises and turtles. It is hoped that comparing the skin of humans and animals will provide a better understanding of the interaction of proteins. In future, the knowledge derived from this may lead to medical applications, for example to improved treatment for psoriasis, in which EDC gene mutations are found. read more here;http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151125104911.htm

CHICKEN OR BEEF; WHICH IS THE BETTER PROTEIN SOURCE??

A study has been carried out to find out which is a better source; http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Industry-Markets/Study-compares-meat-and-poultry-as-protein-sources/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12-Nov-2015&c=KviYxCjZMiVTKDg7xXT1EFJfqLvNeajb&p2=

EGGS AND YOUR HEALTH.

The egg contains all the nutrient to produce a chick,hence its a power packed meal that promotes growth and development. Eggs are nutrient packed and plays immense roles in various systems in the body.The protein requirement is 0.8g/kg on the average: with the requirement for man is 56g,and woman 46g. The FAO has cautioned that the dietary intake is below the required levels in developing countries hence more protein especially animal protein should be included in diet. One medium egg contains 70-85 calories of which 6.5g is protein. Eggs are nutrient rich and if incorporated in diet on a regular basis will make up for the deficit in protein in the developing countries; hence the truth an egg a day keeps the doctor away. EGG-VALUES; 1) its an health boost,with high level of nutrients it contains it contributes to the general well being of the individual, 2)vitamin source; vitamin B2 which is important for break down of food to energy. vitamin B12 essential for red blood cell production. vitamin A responsible for great vision; eye sight integrity. vitamin E responsible for fighting off free radicals that cause tissue and cellular damage. Vitamin B2 responsible for proper growth. 3) mineral source..iron for blood cells,and maintenance of circulatory integrity. zinc....ensures proper functioning of immune system. phosphorus.......responsible for healthy bones and teeth. iodine...essential for thyroid hormones. selenium.....its an antioxidant that helps reduce cancer risk. Eggs are also used as a weight management tool; a study by Rochester center for obesity stated that eating eggs for breakfast helps limit your calorie intake all day by 400 calories.The mode of action here is that it gives a satiety signal while releasing the nutrients into body,thus maintaining energy level.The cholesterol in eggs are dietary cholesterol not blood cholesterol,the dietary cholesterol are high density lipo proteins which are essential for proper functioning of the body systems. Eggs also linked to intelligence quotient because of choline content in the egg which is responsible for production of cell membrane and also produce signal molecules in brain thus coordinating activities at that level. Eggs also contains lutem and zeaxanthin that are antioxidants with maintain cellular integrity in the retinal thus preventing eye disorders such as cataracts and macular degeneration.These benefits also apply to dogs, a nutritious meal for your dog must include eggs.

DOG FOOD.

Feeding dogs can be conventional,local or home cooking,however the route you choose food safety is very important.The dog food industry has suffered quite a blow of late with several disease outbreak linked to contamination of food from the point of production,this has led to several recall episode in which several dogs and dog owners were major actors. The cases of rise in E.coli infection in several countries leading to death in several dogs,has led to so many questions on food safety in dog food industry,for starters the nutritional facts were found to be inaccurate, some contain harmful preservatives that were masked and contamination during preparation and packaging. Many of the companies have traced the contamination to source of the raw material such as chicken and beef used, thus beaming the light on the producers of these animals. These recalls have shifted the paradigm of dog food from conventional to home cooking, where we are sure of what the dogs are eating, the source,nutritional fact,and the most important fact that the food are chemical- free. Nutritious food for your dogs will include carbohydrate,protein,fat/oil,vitamins/minerals and lots of fresh water.The sources of carbohydrate are rice,pasta, bread,plantain e.t.c,these can be cooked with meat,fish,chicken,turkey,gizzard,liver and heart as protein sources.These food can be prepared with olive oil,coconut oil or fish oil as fat sources. Vitamins /minerals can be in forms of fruits and vegetables such as carrots,apples,watermelon,banana,spinach or you can supplement the feed by giving the dogs as additives. The variety and safety home cooking provides has made it very acceptable and a better alternative to ensure health of the dogs.Home cooking also has the advantage that it can be a source of therapy to manage dogs with certain conditions such as obesity,anemia,liver,kidney disease,allergy and diabetes.The best way to go about home cooking is to determine the food stuff you need to use, determine the combination, consider the number of your dogs and the time interval of the meal.It is usual practice to make in large quantities and keep in freezer,to serve warm and fresh when required. A simple home cooked meal is pasta,with cubed liver,garnished with spinach, a drop of coconut oil is added to mixture with atovi ,this will not only supply the needed nutrients but its also filling and palatable to the dogs.

FEED MILLING IN POULTRY VALUE CHAIN..

Feeding accounts for the majority of the cost of running a poultry venture.The feed quality and quantity is paramount to achieving desired outcome of large eggs,market weight and proper growth and development. The feed milling aspect can be done in 2 ways;1) concentrates can be procured from established feed millers and maize/wheat offal can be mixed at specified proportions. 2) The procurement of all ingredients and making your feed based on a proven formula that will stimulate growth and development. The basic feed requirement are a) carbohydrate b)protein c) mineral sources and d) roughages The common carbohydrate sources are 1)sorghum,millet,cassava chips and maize. The protein sources are fish meal, blood meal,soya beans,groundnut cake meal and cotton seeds. Roughages are in form of brewers spent grain,rice bran and wheat offals,these are supplemented with minerals such as oyster shell,bone meal and dicalcium phosphate. The other inputs are salt,vitamin and minerals All ingredients must be properly crushed and thoroughly mixed to produce a feed of high quality.This is achieved in the milling section by using a crusher and mixer.

PROTEIN IN DOG FOOD.

Dogs rely on protein to provide muscle building blocks and essential amino acids that are necessary for vital cell processes.The lack of protein in diet results in lean muscles,reduced energy,the immune system is compromised and coat is dry and flaky. The sources of protein for dog food may be plant-derived or animal-derived but the important index for selecting a protein source is the biological value.The biological value of protein refers to the availability of the protein in the food to the dog,foods with high biological value are the most suitable sources releasing the necessary nutrients because they are readily digestible. Foods that contain protein of low biological value are not easily digested resulting in low availability of protein to the dog and resultant deficiency.When a dog food is to be assessed ,the protein level must be ascertained to be of high biological value.Proteins of high biological value are expensive so when incorporated to dog food raises the cost while low protein of low biological value are cheap making such dog food cheap. Foods of high biological value are 1) eggs; these are of high biological value ,they are readily accessible in the diet especially when boiled.Eggs hold a higher value than meat. Fish; these include tuna,salmon and fishes high in fish oil because of omega3fatty acids,that helps to give coat a shiny coat. Meat ; beef,chicken,turkey,duck and lamb. The nutritive value of beef is drawn out by drying,then pulverizing, the water ,fat is removed then the remnant is ground into powder and incorporated into meal.This makes the meat readily digestible,making all nutrients available. Protein of low biological value include animal by-products such as hair,hooves,horn and feathers.Dog food that will provide the necessary protein level must have a high biological value ,the higher the value the more digestible the food and the less waste the dog will produce.