Research and development of an optimized and semi-automated system for the mass-rearing of the cricket Gryllus assimilis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) in the Hakkuna biofacility

Abstract

The aim of this Project is to develop a semi-automated system for the mass-rearing of crickets Gryllus assimilis, in order to obtain sufficient raw material in large scale for the production of protein bars of the company Hakkuna. The automation of the crickets mass-rearing represents the biggest technological innovation of the project, because most of the traditional rearing systems, regardless of the goal, requires many labor hours and have high costs. The project includes other issues than the mass-rearing, such as methodologies for reuse of waste generated during the production of the batches and the monitoring of consumers' food preferences in relation to the protein source. Therefore, the company Hakkuna will produce in a sustainable way and aware of the consumer's preferences. To optimize the mass-rearing, several issues will be investigated, like artificial diets for the G. assimilis, colony cages and oviposition substrates, since studies in these areas are scarce in literature. Furthermore, it is expected to built of a semi-automated mass-rearing facility for the mass production of crickets, reducing significantly the waste of water and food, and dependence on daily labor. Other important issues will be evaluated, as the possibility of reusing by-products from the mass-rearing. The by-products made of faeces and exuviae represent materials with nutritional potential and might be used as raw material for animal feeding or fertilizer. (AU)