Percorrer por autor "Ligeiro, Carolina"
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- Exploring sustainable alternatives in aquaculture feeding : the role of insectsPublication . Fantatto, Rafaela Regina; Mota, Joana; Ligeiro, Carolina; Vieira, Inês; Guilgur, Leonardo Gaston; Santos, Marisa; Murta, DanielThe aquaculture sector faces uncertainty due to environmental changes, economic factors, and availability of food resources. Conventional aquatic feeds heavily depend on fishmeal. This results in sustainability challenges due to overexploitation of wild fish stocks, rising costs, and environmental impacts, which has driven the search for innovative and sustainable alternatives, such as insects. European Union legislation has evolved to allow the use of certain insect species in aquafeeds, favoring the market access and approval of additional species. However, regulations still need to be standardized across countries and the substrates approved for insect feed clearly defined, since the nutritional composition of insects depend on species and diet. These ingredients have high potential to replace fishmeal in aquatic feeds, although, present challenges regarding optimal growth and digestibility, specially due to the chitin in composition, that need to be overcome. However, chitin and its derivatives may also have positive effects in fish feeds as prebiotic and immunomodulator. These insect-based protein sources have several benefits, such as efficient nutrient utilization, short maturation periods, and profitability, addressing the economic and environmental challenges associated with conventional aquafeed ingredients. Scientific studies indicate that insects have the potential to improve flesh quality, strengthen the immune system, and reduce disease susceptibility in farmed fish, promoting sustainable and productive aquaculture systems. The integration of insects as alternative protein sources in aquatic feeds can offer a promising path towards sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture systems. Based on the research available for this topic, this review aimed to evaluate the real potential of using insect-based raw-materials in feeds for aquaculture and their effects on growth, feed utilization, immunological response, disease resistance, quality, and safety of fish.
- From waste to resource : performance of Black Soldier fly larvae reared on restaurant food waste at an industrial scalePublication . Oliveira, Joana; Ligeiro, Carolina; Fantatto, Rafaela; Souza, Clarice Silva e; Machado, Maria Ana; Guilgur, Leonardo Gaston; Trindade, Alexandre; Assunção, Ricardo; Murta, DanielFood waste poses significant environmental, economic and public health challenges. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) represent a promising solution for organic waste valorisation, converting substrates into protein-rich biomass for animal feed and organic fertiliser. However, the use of food waste as an insect substrate remains prohibited in the European Union due to regulatory and safety concerns. This study evaluated the suitability of heterogeneous food waste for BSFL rearing under industrial conditions by comparing larval performance on a standard Gainesville diet (control) and a blend derived from local restaurant waste (test). The 14-day bioconversion assay assessed bioconversion rate (BCR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate, average growth rate, and nutritional composition. Compared with the control, the test group showed significantly improved (p < 0.001) BCR (18.34% vs. 11.02%), FCR (5.48 vs. 9.09 kg/kg), survival (69.29% vs. 51.30%), and growth (8.38 vs. 6.59 mg/day). Larvae reared on food waste also exhibited significantly higher protein (19.70% vs. 16.80%), fat (13.70% vs. 7.20%), ash (6.97% vs. 3.51%), carbohydrates (7.00% vs. 3.60%), and fibre (5.20% vs. 2.90%). Overall, heterogeneous food waste is a suitable substrate for BSFL, supporting agrifood sustainability; however, future research should focus on standardisation of these substrates.
- Olive pomace and melon bio-byproducts from the agribusiness : a promising combination for the sustainable production of animal protein from BSF larvaePublication . Ligeiro, Carolina; Souza, Clarice Silva e; Fantatto, Rafaela; Murta, DanielThe black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) offers a sustainable solution for converting agro-industrial bio-byproducts into high-quality animal protein. This study evaluated two abundant residues from the Santarém region of Portugal, melons and olive pomace, as substrates for larval rearing. Two experimental diets were formulated using these byproducts and compared to a standard Gainesville-based control diet, with all diets adjusted for moisture and protein content. Larval performance was assessed through metrics including individual weight, biomass, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and bioconversion rate. Diets 1 (melon-based) and 2 (melon + 55.2% olive pomace) yielded larval biomass of 1.82 ± 0.17 kg and 1.80 ± 0.11 kg per box, respectively, compared to the control (1.60 ± 0.03 kg). The FCRs were lower in the experimental diets (7.47 ± 0.75 and 7.53 ± 0.49) than in the control (8.42 ± 0.16), and the bioconversion rates were higher (13.48% and 13.31% vs. 11.88%). These results suggest that combining melon and olive pomace improves larval development and conversion efficiency, compared to the literature. This study demonstrates the potential of using local bio-byproducts to enhance insect-based protein production while reducing waste and supporting circular economy practices.