Mealworm-based Foods

Abstract

Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L, is one of many ingredients that has great potential to substitute two main world commodities, and important feed ingredients in livestock, poultry and aquaculture species that are fishmeal and soybean meal. These two conventional protein source ingredients are getting expensive due to massive demand in the market. Overreliance on these protein ingredients is causing an increment of the costs of animal production. Subsequently, farm operators from low-income countries cannot afford essential ingredients, especially protein-based food. Therefore, it is a must to find alternative protein sources as protein replacements to fishmeal and soybean meal for animal production uses. The high nutrition profile of mealworms in comparison to fishmeal and soybean meal attracts many researchers and investors to explore and valorize the property of mealworms, discussed and summarised in this context. Moreover, this chapter also highlights the source, forms, and derivatives of mealworms, the nutritional composition of mealworms and the safety issue of the insect.