Valorisation of Agricultural By-Products for Sustainable Production of Tenebrio Molitor Larvae Meal

Abstract

Large amounts of plant-based waste are generated by the food industry, posing environmental and economic challenges. The bioconversion of these residues into valuable products—such as insect-based flours or biofertilizers—through insect farming represents a promising and sustainable solution. Insect rearing systems offer an innovative and scalable approach for producing alternative proteins for food and feed, while enabling the valorization of waste streams and by-products from local agri-food supply chains. This study evaluated a rearing system using larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TML), grown on a conventional wheat bran-based diet and alternative diets formulated with agri-food by-products, including brewer’s spent grains (BSG), cocoa bean shells (CBS), and banana peels (BP). This approach demonstrates the feasibility of using waste-derived substrates as productive inputs, contributing to waste reduction and material cycle closure. The results indicate that substituting conventional feed with agri-food by-products can reduce rearing costs and final product costs. From a bioeconomy perspective, this approach enhances sustainability, improves resource efficiency, and supports circular economy principles.