Inside BENEO’s new pulse plant: pioneering sustainable protein from faba beans
Ankit Alok Bagaria, Co-founder & CEO, Loopworm
The global demand has witnessed an increase for sustainable and high-quality protein sources, arising from concerns on environmental impact, the nutritional needs of animals and humans, food security, and alike. Even the dominant choices for animal nutrition, i.e fishmeal and soy protein comes with their own sustainability challenges whether it’s overfishing or deforestation, it has even sparked the interest more in alternative protein sources. Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is one such underutilized but still a powerful contender that’s quite useful.
Silkworms are now gaining recognition as top-notch protein source, traditionally cultivated for their silk, as it offers a high-protein, eco-friendly alternative to conventional feed ingredients.
Silkworm as a High-Protein Feed for Aquaculture & Pets
For acquaculture and pet nutrition, silkworms are trusted as an exceptional protein source given their high digestibility, protein-rich composition, presence of essential amino acids making them a superior yet affordable feed ingredient compared to traditional sources like fishmeal, squidmeal and krillmeal.
1. Nutritional Superiority
– High Protein Content of Silkworm: Fishmeal and Silkworm pupae protein concentrate has over 65% high quality protein (that’s comparable to meat).
– Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Silkworm-derived oil consists of around 35% Omega-3 fatty acids, that is essential for our brain health, immune function, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
– Palatability & Digestibility:Studies have also indicated that silkworm meal increases feed consumption and growth rate in shrimp, fish, and companion animals, surpassing the conventional protein sources. Silkworm Pupae protein hydrolysates are also high in Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant, Anti-hypertensive, Anti Aging properties along with other advantages
2. A Viable Substitute to Sea-Derived Feed Products
– Cuts Overfishing: All fishmeal available worldwide is presently derived from wild fish, thus causing depletion in the marine ecosystem. Silkworm feed can be a plausible substitute, curtailing pressure on the oceans.
– Minimizes Carbon Footprint: Rearing of insects, which includes silkworms, has much lesser greenhouse gas emission compared to raising livestock.
3. Commercial Success & Market Penetration
Global aquafeed and pet food industries are increasingly embracing insect-derived proteins, with regulatory approvals opening doors to large-scale adoption. Silkworm-based feed is already making inroads in high-end pet food brands, shrimp feed formulations, and high-value fish diets like those for salmon and trout.
4. Beyond Animal Nutrition: Silkworm-Derived Protein Products
As silkworm meal is changing animal nutrition, its applications reach much further than in feed. Various high-quality protein products are extractable from silkworms for applications in human nutrition, bio-cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Silkworm Pupae Protein Isolates for Human Nutrition
Silkworm pupae protein isolates are suitable for application in sports nutrition, protein supplements, and functional foods, as highly digestible, hypoallergenic, and nutrient-dense protein sources.
Silk Proteins for Skincare & Regenerative Medicine
Silk proteins like sericin and fibroin are finding growing applications in:
– Bio-cosmetics: Anti-aging creams, serums, and moisturizers for skin repair and hydration.
– Tissue Engineering: Biodegradable silk scaffolds for wound healing and regenerative
medicine.
5. Bioactive Compounds with Therapeutic Benefits
Silkworms inherently possess functional bioactive compounds with great potential in health and
medicine.
– 1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ): A highly effective anti-diabetic compound in silkworms, applied
in functional foods and nutraceuticals.
– Chitin & Chitosan: Derived from silkworm pupal shells, these bioactive polysaccharides
possess antimicrobial and immunoenhancing activities.
Silkworms in Biopharma: The Future of Sustainable Protein Production
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary uses of silkworms is that they can be used as bio-
factories for the production of high-value recombinant proteins. This new technology presents a
low-cost, scalable, and sustainable method of biopharmaceutical production.
1. Recombinant Protein Production Using Silkworms
Conventionally, recombinant proteins are made through mammalian or insect cell cultures that
involve costly bioreactors and complicated purification processes. Silkworms offer a novel
biomanufacturing platform that greatly lowers cost, capital expenditure, and environmental
impact.
Applications in Biopharma & Cell Therapy
Silkworm recombinant proteins can be applied to:
– Diagnostic Kits: Economical production of viral antigens for disease diagnosis.
– Regenerative Medicine: Wound healing, tissue engineering, and cell culture applications
using growth factors.
– Vaccine Development: Silkworms may be genetically modified to produce viral proteins for
vaccine development.
Biomanufacturing & the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
Silkworms are a shining example of biotechnology and agriculture coming together, leading the
way towards a more sustainable and robust food and biopharma system. Silkworm rearing can
be upscaled with negligible environmental footprint, providing a sustainable protein source free
of land, water, and carbon costs compared to livestock.
Through the use of silkworms as feedstock, nutrition, and biopharma, we can increase global
food security, decrease reliance on marine and plant proteins, and drive biotech-enabled
innovation in sustainable agriculture. Silkworms, previously sought after only for silk, are now
becoming a game-changer in sustainable protein development. With their high protein content,
sustainability benefits, and adaptability, they become one of the best-class protein feedstock for
aquafeed, pet food, human nutrition and healthcare, and biopharma.
Silkworm farming is also an economic empowerment opportunity, especially for rural
communities. Silkworm farming involves very little land and resources, and is therefore a
practical and feasible option for small farmers. Sericulture, or the farming of silk from silkworms,
is already well established in most countries, with existing infrastructure and expertise. By
diversifying the application of silkworms from producing silk to harvesting protein for consumption by animals and humans, such communities can create diversified sources of income and participate in a sustainable economy.
Also, silkworms provide a great example of the working circular economy. All components of the
silkworm can be utilized, including the silk filament and the pupae, which are high in protein and
nutrients. Even the frass that is a waste product from silkworms can be reused as a very potent
organic fertilizer that helps enrich the soil and ensures sustainable farming. Not only does this
zero-waste system reduce its environmental footprint but also captures maximum value from the
cultivation of silkworms as a source of protein, which is as sustainable as possible.
With the globe shifting toward greener, more efficient protein solutions, the future of food
security, biotech innovation, and bio-manufacturing depends on embracing products that come
from silkworms. The protein future is not plant or laboratory grown but insect-based.