Multiple Applications of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Reared on Plant-Based Substrates: Circular Agriculture, Farmed Animal Feed, and Other High-Value Products
Other Title
以植物基質飼養麵包蟲的多元應用：循環農業、動物飼料及其他高值化產品
Journal
台灣農業研究
Journal Volume
74
Journal Issue
4
Start Page
415
End Page
447
ISSN
2790-086X
Date Issued
2025-12-04
Author(s)
農業部農業試驗所
農業部農業試驗所
農業部農業試驗所
農業部農業試驗所
農業部農業試驗所
農業部農業試驗所
Abstract
With the continuous growth of the global population, pressures on food supply and challenges in agricultural waste management have become increasingly severe. Insects have been increasingly recognized as a key solution to these issues. As biological agents capable of converting organic waste, insects can transform agricultural by-products and food processing residues (resources that are other-wise difficult to be used) into valuable outputs. This process not only promotes resource recycling and reduces the carbon footprint but also offers a sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources in animal feed, such as soybean meal and fishmeal, thereby supporting the sustainable development of both agriculture and animal husbandry. In the application of insects as feed ingredients for farmed ani-mals, they provide high levels of protein and fat, making them a promising substitute for conventional animal feed components. Their cultivation requires fewer resources, has a short production cycle, and demands less space compared to traditional livestock, which positions insect farming as an efficient and environmentally friendly model in resource utilization. In addition to larval biomass, insect frass, the excreta and residual substrate generated during yellow mealworm rearing, constitutes an import-ant by-product. Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, chitin, and beneficial microorganisms, frass has shown potential as an organic fertilizer that enhances plant growth. Its application further reinforces the role of mealworm farming in sustainable waste recycling systems. This study takes the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a case study to explore its feasibility and advantages in decomposing plant-based residual materials and analyzes key considerations in its breeding process. In addition, this study assesses the potential of yellow mealworm larvae as a raw material in animal feed, including its nutritional value and practical application cases. It also reviews the prospects of using insect biomass and by-products in the development of high-value end products. The aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of resource insects on global food supply and environ-mental sustainability. Compared to traditional crop and livestock farming, insect farming exhibits higher efficiency in resource utilization and significantly lower environmental impact, making it one of the green industries aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
隨著全球人口持續增長，糧食供應壓力與廢棄物管理挑戰日益嚴峻，昆蟲已被視為解決此問題的重要關鍵之一。昆蟲作為有機廢棄物的生物轉化者，能將農業副產品與食品加工廢棄物等難以應用的資源轉化為有用的資源，不僅實現資源的循環再利用同時降低碳足跡，亦可有效取代傳統養殖動物飼料的蛋白質來源 (如大豆與魚粉)，從而促進農業與畜牧業的持續性發展。昆蟲可作為動物養殖飼料的原料，昆蟲含高量蛋白質與脂肪，能有效替代傳統動物飼料的魚粉等動物源蛋白質成分，為畜牧業與水產養殖之永續經營提供良好的替代方案。由於昆蟲養殖具有資源投入低、生長週期短以及生產空間需求小等優勢，使其成為一種高效且環境友善的資源利用模式，進一步推動農業朝永續發展轉型，並促進循環經濟的實現。除蟲體生物質之外，養殖過程中產生的蟲糞也是重要的副產物，其富含氮、磷、幾丁質及有益微生物，具有開發為有機肥料促進植物生長的作用，更進一步強化了麵包蟲養殖於永續循環系統中的潛力。本研究以麵包蟲 (Tenebrio molitor) 為例，探討其分解植物性廢棄物質的可行性與優勢，並分析飼養過程中的關鍵考量，同時評估麵包蟲幼蟲作為動物養殖飼料原料的潛力 (包含營養價值與應用案例)，以及蟲體與副產品開發成高經濟價值終端產品的應用前景。本文旨在為資源昆蟲於全球糧食供應與環境永續發展的研究，以及未來的開發方向提供完整的參考資料。相較於傳統作物與畜禽養殖，昆蟲養殖產業展現出更高的資源利用效率與更低的環境衝擊，是符合聯合國永續發展目標 (SDGs) 的綠色產業之一。
Subjects
Tenebrio molitor
Plant-based substrates
Circular agriculture
Farmed animal feed
High-value applications
麵包蟲
植物基質
循環農業
養殖動物飼料
高值化應用
Publisher
農業部農業試驗所
Type
journal article
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
74-4-4.pdf
Size
1.25 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):f094936b75945894599ca4562e41b9b6