Analysis of Insect Species Authorised in the European Union
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17108/ActAgrOvar.2025.66.2.118Keywords:
authorised insect species, sustainable protein source, circular economy, nutritional value, industrial applicabilityAbstract
The accelerating global protein shortage and the increasing demand for sustainable food production have intensified research into alternative protein sources, including edible insects. Under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and based on EFSA risk assessments, nine insect species – Tenebrio molitor, Alphitobius diaperinus, Acheta domesticus, Gryllus assimilis, Gryllodes sigillatus, Locusta migratoria, Hermetia illucens, Bombyx mori, Musca domestica – are currently authorised within the European Union for human consumption or feed purposes. This review synthesises biological, nutritional and environmental data to evaluate the role of insect-derived proteins in the circular bioeconomy. A PRISMA-guided systematic literature review (2015-2025) was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and EFSA dossiers, with a focus on Q1-Q2 peer-reviewed journals and life-cycle assessment (LCA) indicators. The findings indicate that the analysed species contain 40-70 % crude protein and 15-35 % lipids, with amino acid and fatty acid profiles comparable to conventional animal-based proteins. LCA results further show that insect protein production generates up to 80-90 % lower greenhouse gas emissions than beef or pork production. Overall, authorised insect species display considerable biological diversity, high adaptive capacity, and favourable environmental performance, positioning them as strategic components of resilient future food and feed systems within the European circular economy.
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