| In light of population growth and increases in welfare worldwide, there is a need for novel protein sources as an alternative to meat production (Kuijer, 1995). Such novel protein sources should be nutritious, safe, reliable, consumer accepted as well as sustainable in their production. Predictions are that in the next decades to come around 40% of traditional meat consumption will be replaced by novel protein sources, such as from yeast (Kuijer 1999; Bruijne 1996). Insect proteins hold potential as a future protein source. They are nutritious in terms of protein content, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids and other micronutrients (Ramos-Elorduy, 1997). However, their large-scale production and the fact that they are not a common source of food in many cultures are two critical factors in the future success of insects as a protein source. As in many technological breakthroughs, the potential of insects as a future source of protein consumption critically depends on careful integration of technology development on the one hand and marketing and consumer understanding on the other. Only through up-front and intensive collaboration between these two functional disciplines, can the potential be explored and exploited to its full extent. This PhD project aims at the integration of the beta and gamma sciences around the issue of insect biomass as a safe, functional and flexible food source. From a beta-gamma perspective it will explore three key issues: 1. What are the technical opportunities and threats of insect- biomass production at large scale? a) How can flexibility of processing be optimised to meet dynamic target parameters? b) How can modern biotechnology be exploited to enhance flexibility? 2. What is the consumer perception and acceptance of insect biomass as a potential food source? a) What is the nature of resistance for low and high technology insect biomass? 3. How can insect biomass as a food source best be positioned in the market place? a) How can technological production be best aligned to consumer perception to maximise market success? b) How can insights from learning by analogy and innovation templates be exploited to enhance market success? The project aims at integration of the technical and social sciences around a substantive issue, but also focuses at specialist knowledge in each of the two science areas. The current proposal is based on a larger proposal written by Frans Meerman and Arnold van Huis from the department of Entomology entitled ¿kansen voor minifauna op de Nederlandse voedingsmarkt¿ and in which both research groups that lead this project have been involved. |
