Insect Fat and Its Uses

Abstract

Insect fat and uses thereof The present invention relates to an insect fat, having a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, and a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids. It also relates to uses thereof. Figure for abstract: none

Description

Title of the invention: Insect fat and its uses

[0001] The present invention relates to various uses of an insect fat, preferably from Hermetia i llucens, which has a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, and a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids, in breeding, in particular pigs. This fat in fact has zootechnical, nutritional but also environmental benefits, for animal feed.

[0002] It also relates to an insect fat having a specific profile.

[0003] Pig farming can be divided into three phases that are easily distinguished from each other: lactation, weaning and feeding. The economic optimization of the breeding activity depends on the correct implementation of these three phases, which will allow the production of healthy suckling animals with a good weight, without deteriorating weaning, and finally, with a faster feeding period without harming health quality.

[0004] Furthermore, the meat industry as a whole is increasingly focused on its environmental impact, particularly in Europe, where consumers are deciding to eat less meat and are turning to plant-based food sources. This is resulting in efforts by the meat industry to reduce its environmental impact, and animal feed is by far the largest contributor to meat's carbon footprint. In addition, the share of deforestation worldwide that is linked to agriculture is 80%. The pork industry in particular is under increasing pressure to use feed made from ingredients that are local, sustainable, and / or non-GMO, which is the most critical selection criterion for customers when purchasing pork.

[0005] According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, an additional 200 million tons of meat will need to be produced by 2050 to feed a population expected to reach 9.1 billion. It is therefore necessary to identify new sources of animal feed that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

[0006] As many farmers increasingly rely on locally produced crops to meet their grain needs, identifying new sources of ingredients to meet the nutritional needs of pig feed is a challenge. In particular, finding local and sustainable alternatives to fats included in pig feed to provide the energy needed for growth is both a challenge and an opportunity:

[0007] on the one hand, fats, although representing a small percentage of the diet (0.5-5%), represent a much larger part of the carbon footprint of the overall diet, and

[0008] On the other hand, current sources of fat for animal feed are overwhelmingly imported and generally associated with a negative environmental impact, with deforested land due to agricultural activity. In particular, palm oil and soybean oil have a very bad reputation in this regard.

[0009] Finally, the potential for increasing local production of vegetable oils, particularly in Europe, is limited: more than 70% of all agricultural land in Europe (i.e. land used for cultivation, called arable land, but also grassland for grazing or fodder production) is already devoted to livestock feed, and more than 30% of arable land is needed to ensure self-sufficiency in the production of soybeans for animal feed.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a feed that can be used in animal breeding, particularly pig breeding, which is easy to digest and well assimilated by the animal.

[0011] There is also a need for a feed that can be used to improve production performance and animal health, and thus increase the sustainability of meat, particularly pork: the feed must have performance benefits, for example, better weight gain and / or better feed conversion, so lower consumption of ingredients for the same amount of meat produced can reduce the ecological footprint; the feed must also have health benefits, for example, better quality of faeces and a reduction in the number of faecal bacteria, so lower mortality can reduce "meat waste" and therefore the ecological footprint.

[0012] Finally, there is a need for livestock feed, particularly pig feed, that is sustainable and has a reduced ecological footprint.

[0013]

[0014] The present invention meets these expectations.

[0015] The present invention relates to a specific insect fat, and to uses of such insect fat. This fat can be produced locally,

[0016] and can be from a farming based on the vertical farming model, which results in a much smaller land area required compared to other farming methods, without impact on deforestation. It also has a reduced ecological footprint, and constitutes a very interesting alternative to vegetable oils. Finally, it brings benefits in terms of animal performance and health: the production yield of farmers is increased.

[0017] As demonstrated in examples, the insect fat according to the invention has various benefits for feeding livestock such as pigs. Incorporated into the feed, it makes it possible to improve zootechnical performances such as feed consumption and weight gain by these animals, and reduces the feed conversion ratio. It improves the quality of the feces (i.e. which are less liquid) and makes it possible to reduce the bacterial load of the feces.

[0018] Therefore, the insect fat according to the invention is a feed of choice for livestock such as pigs.

[0019] Furthermore, the insect fat according to the invention reduces the environmental impact (in particular the carbon footprint) of the feed of farm animals, and in particular of pig feed.

[0020] The present invention thus relates to the use of an insect fat, having a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, and having a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids, or of a food comprising said fat, for:

[0021] - feeding pigs;

[0022] - increase the feed intake of pigs;

[0023] - increase the weight gain of pigs;

[0024] - reduce the feed conversion ratio of pigs;

[0025] - improving the intestinal health of pigs; and / or

[0026] - reduce the environmental footprint of pig farming.

[0027] It also relates to an insect fat having a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids and a content of at least 13% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0028] Preferably, said fat comprises from 13% to 25% by weight, preferably from 14% to 22% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0029] Preferably, said fat has the following profile, by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids:

[0030] from 60% to 80% by weight, preferably from 65% to 75% by weight, preferably from 70% to 75% by weight of saturated fatty acids, and

[0031] from 20% to 40% by weight, preferably from 25% to 35% by weight, preferably from 25% to 30% by weight of unsaturated fatty acids,

[0032] preferably from 35% to 50% by weight, preferably from 40% to 45% by weight of lauric acid, and / or preferably from 10% to 20% by weight, preferably from 11% to 15% by weight of palmitic acid, and / or preferably from 5% to 15% by weight, preferably from 7% to 10% by weight of myristic acid,

[0033] preferably from 10% to 20% by weight, preferably from 10% to 18% by weight of monounsaturated fatty acids, and / or preferably from 13% to 25% by weight, preferably from 14% to 22% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and / or preferably from 5% to 15% by weight, preferably from 7% to 11% by weight of oleic acid and its isomers,

[0034] preferably from 11% to 25% by weight, preferably from 12% to 21% by weight of linoleic acid, and / or preferably from 1% to 3% by weight, preferably from 1% to 2.5% by weight of alpha-linolenic acid.

[0035] Finally, it relates to a feed for livestock, preferably for pigs, comprising such insect fat.

[0036] The insect fat according to the invention has a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, and a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids. Preferably, the insect fat has a content of at least 40% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0037] By fat is meant a fatty substance present in the solid state at room temperature (i.e. approximately 20°C). Preferably, the fat, and therefore the insect fat according to the invention, has a melting point of between 28°C and 42°C, preferably between 30°C and 40°C, preferably approximately 32°C.

[0038] By fatty acid is meant a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic carbon chain, said carbon chain comprising at least 8 carbon atoms. Preferably, the fatty acid comprises at least 10, preferably at least 12 carbon atoms. By saturated fatty acid is meant a fatty acid comprising no carbon-carbon double bonds. By unsaturated fatty acid is meant a fatty acid comprising one (monounsaturated fatty acid) or more (polyunsaturated fatty acid) carbon-carbon double bond(s).

[0039] In particular, the insect fat according to the invention is a fat derived from an insect of the order Diptera. Preferably, the insect is from the family Stratiomyidae, preferably from the genus Hermetia. Preferably, the insect is Hermetia illucens. This species is also called black soldier fly.

[0040] The development of this species Hermetia illucens includes several stages: egg, then larva, prepupa, nymph and adult stage. Eggs and larvae kept at 30°C reach the prepupa stage in 2 to 3 weeks. Adults emerge 10 to 14 days after transforming into nymphs. The adult fly only lives for about ten days.

[0041] It is the larva which is of most interest: it feeds mainly on organic plant co-products, and is rich in proteins and fatty acids.

[0042] Thus, preferably, the insect fat according to the invention comes from insect larvae.

[0043] Preferably, the insect fat according to the invention is obtained by grinding the larvae and then extracting the fatty substances. Preferably, the extraction is mechanical and solvent-free.

[0044] The insect fat according to the invention comprises at least 90% by weight, preferably at least 95% by weight, preferably at least 99% by weight, of lipids relative to the total weight of fat.

[0045] The insect fat according to the invention has a specific profile:

[0046] On the one hand, it has a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids.

[0047] On the other hand, it is rich in lauric acid: it has a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids, preferably from 35% to 60% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids, preferably from 40% to 60% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0048] Finally, preferably, it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids: it preferably has a content of at least 13% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to the total weight of fatty acids, preferably from 13% to 25% by weight, preferably from 14% to 22% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to the total weight of fatty acids. The polyunsaturated fatty acids are preferably chosen from linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and mixtures thereof.

[0049] More preferably, the insect fat has the following profile, by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids:

[0050] from 60% to 80% by weight, preferably from 65% to 75% by weight, preferably from 70% to 75% by weight of saturated fatty acids, and

[0051] from 20% to 40% by weight, preferably from 25% to 35% by weight, preferably from 25% to 30% by weight of unsaturated fatty acids.

[0052] Preferably, it comprises at least lauric acid, palmitic acid and myristic acid. Preferably, palmitic acid and myristic acid are each present in a content of at least 5% by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0053] Preferably, it comprises from 35% to 50% by weight, preferably from 40% to 45% by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids, of lauric acid. Preferably, it comprises from 10% to 20% by weight, preferably from 11% to 15% by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids of palmitic acid. Preferably, it comprises from 5% to 15% by weight, preferably from 7% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids of myristic acid.

[0054] Preferably, it also comprises monounsaturated fatty acids. Preferably, the monounsaturated fatty acids are chosen from oleic acid, palmitoleic acid and mixtures thereof.

[0055] Preferably, it also comprises polyunsaturated fatty acids. Preferably, it comprises linoleic acid and / or alpha-linolenic acid, preferably a mixture of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.

[0056] Preferably, it comprises from 10% to 20% by weight, preferably from 10% to 15% by weight of monounsaturated fatty acids, and / or preferably from 13% to 25% by weight, preferably from 14% to 22% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0057] Preferably, it comprises from 5% to 15% by weight, preferably from 7% to 11% by weight of oleic acid and its isomers relative to the total weight of fatty acids. Preferably, it comprises from 1% to 5% by weight, preferably from 1.5% to 3% by weight of palmitoleic acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0058] Preferably, it comprises from 11% to 25% by weight, preferably from 12% to 21% by weight of linoleic acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids. Preferably, it comprises from 1% to 3% by weight, preferably from 1% to 2.5% by weight of alpha-linolenic acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids.

[0059] The insect fat according to the invention is preferably used as an ingredient in the feed of farm animals. Preferably, it is used by incorporation into the feed of farm animals. Preferably, the farm animals are pigs. By "pigs" is meant piglets, sows and slaughter pigs.

[0060] Preferably, the pigs are piglets aged 20 to 75 days, preferably 21 to 69 days, preferably 21 to 42 days or 43 to 69 days.

[0061] The first age corresponds to piglets aged 21 to 42 days. The second age corresponds to piglets aged 43 to 69 days.

[0062] Preferably, the first-age or second-age piglets are fed with the insect fat according to the invention or with a feed comprising this fat. Preferably, the first-age and then second-age piglets are fed with the insect fat according to the invention or with a feed comprising this fat. Then, they are fed with a traditional diet.

[0063] Thus, the present invention also relates to a feed for livestock, preferably a feed for pigs, comprising at least one insect fat according to the invention.

[0064] Preferably, the food comprises from 0.5% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of food, preferably from 0.6% to 3% by weight, of insect fat according to the invention.

[0065] The food may also comprise at least one cereal and / or at least one protein source. Preferably, it comprises at least one cereal chosen from wheat, barley, corn and mixtures thereof. Preferably, it comprises at least one protein source chosen from soybean meal, rapeseed meal, whey proteins and mixtures thereof.

[0066] Preferably, the feed for livestock, preferably for pigs, comprises:

[0067] from 0.5% to 3% by weight, preferably from 0.6% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of food, of at least one insect fat according to the invention,

[0068] at least 50% by weight, preferably from 55% to 70% by weight relative to the total weight of food, of at least one cereal, preferably chosen from wheat, barley, corn and mixtures thereof, and

[0069] from 10% to 30% by weight, preferably from 12% to 25% by weight relative to the total weight of food, of at least one source of protein, preferably chosen from soybean meal, rapeseed meal, whey proteins and mixtures thereof.

[0070] The food may also include any conventional food additive for animal feed, particularly porcine feed, such as vitamins, amino acids, mineral salts or even gluten.

[0071] The insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed which comprises it, can be used to feed pigs. Indeed, it has all the nutritional properties of interest for pig farming. In particular, it contributes to the growth of the animals, and to their development. The invention therefore relates to the use of an insect fat having a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, and a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids (insect fat according to the invention), or of a feed comprising said fat, to feed pigs.

[0072] The invention also relates to the insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed comprising it, for use in feeding pigs.

[0073] The insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed comprising it, can also be used to increase feed intake and / or increase weight gain (weight gain) in pigs. Indeed, as shown in examples, the addition of insect fat according to the invention to the feed of pigs slightly increases their feed intake and / or their weight gain.

[0074] The invention also relates to the insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed which comprises it, for its use in increasing the feed intake and / or weight gain of pigs.

[0075] The insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed comprising it, can also be used to reduce the feed conversion ratio (or IC or Consumption Index or FCR or Feed Conversion Ratio) of pigs. Indeed, as shown in examples, the addition of insect fat according to the invention to the pig feed reduces the FCR. The lower the FCR, the more efficient the feed: indeed, in this case, a smaller quantity of feed is necessary to reach the same final weight. The FCR is calculated by dividing the daily quantity of feed ingested (for example in kg) by the daily weight gained by the animal (in the same unit, for example in kg). For example, if a pig has ingested 1 kg of feed over a day, and has gained 0.5 kg of weight, then the FCR is equal to 2.Over a given observation period (for example daily or an entire period of several days), the FCR is obtained by dividing the quantity of food consumed over the period considered by the weight gain over the same period.

[0076] The invention also relates to the insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed which comprises it, for its use in reducing the feed conversion ratio (or IC or Consumption Index or FCR or Feed Conversion Ratio) of pigs.

[0077] The insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed comprising it, can also be used to improve the intestinal health of pigs.

[0078] "Gut health" means efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients, the absence of gastrointestinal disease, and a good balance of the intestinal microbiota. In particular, maintaining or improving intestinal health is associated with higher quality of feces (less liquid feces and absence of diarrhea), and / or a decrease or even absence of pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal microbiota (e.g., decrease in Enterobacteriaceae).

[0079] The invention also relates to the insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed comprising it, for its use in improving the intestinal health of pigs.

[0080] The insect fat according to the invention, or the animal feed which comprises it, can also be used to reduce the environmental footprint of pig farming. Indeed, as shown in examples, the addition of insect fat according to the invention to pig feed makes it possible to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the fat present in the pig feed. This reduction in the carbon footprint linked to the use of the insect fat according to the invention is typically at least 5%, preferably at least 7% compared to the use of a conventional vegetable oil such as soybean oil.

[0081] By "environmental footprint" we mean the carbon footprint, but also the footprint in fossil resources, arable land and / or the impact on biodiversity.

[0082] The invention is now illustrated by the following examples.

[0083] Example 1: Preparation of insect fat according to the invention and incorporation into a feed for pig breeding in 1 / Insect fat

[0084] The fat is extracted from the larvae of Hermetia i llucens.

[0085] The larvae are raised and fed with a substrate of 100% plant origin. The extraction is mechanical and solvent-free. The extraction process may include mechanical pressing of the previously crushed and heated larvae to extract the fat. Alternatively, it may also include separation of the fat by three-phase decantation of the previously crushed, heated larvae mixed with a small proportion of water.

[0086] The fat obtained is solid (set) at room temperature, and has a melting point of 30 to 40°C.

[0087] This fat is an animal feed ingredient, which is unfit for human consumption.

[0088] The fatty acid profile is as follows (% by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids):

[0089] Total saturated fatty acids: 65% to 75%.

[0090] 11-15% palmitic acid, 38-45% lauric acid and 7-10% myristic acid.

[0091] Total unsaturated fatty acids: from 25% to 35%.

[0092] 10-18% monounsaturated fatty acids and 14-22% polyunsaturated fatty acids.

[0093] 7-15% oleic acid and isomers, 1-2.5% alpha-linolenic acid and 11-20% of linoleic acid. 2 / Food

[0094] The fat thus obtained in 1 / can be incorporated into a mixture comprising, by weight relative to the total weight of food:

[0095] About 20% by weight of wheat

[0096] About 30% by weight of barley

[0097] About 7% by weight of corn

[0098] About 7% by weight of its

[0099] About 15% by weight of soybean meal

[0100] About 6% to 7% by weight of rapeseed meal

[0101] About 0.5% to 2.5% by weight of insect fat obtained in 1 / , and

[0102] The rest of the composition being made up of various classic ingredients (acids amino acids, salt, bicarbonates, gluten, etc.).

[0103] Example 2: Contribution of insect fat according to the invention in the diet of piglets in 2 ~ age

[0104] The objective of this trial is to compare the contribution of different fatty substances (fat or oil) from different origins in the diet of second-age piglets, to evaluate the benefits. Protocol#:

[0105] 4 groups of 40 piglets aged 42 days are divided as follows:

[0106] Group 1 (invention, “insect oil”): piglets fed with a feed according to example 1 (comprising 2% of fat from Hernia lia i llucens larvae)

[0107] Group 2 (comparative, “rapeseed oil”): piglets fed with a feed similar to group 1 but including 2% rapeseed oil, and

[0108] Group 3 (comparative, “palm oil”): piglets fed with a feed similar to group 1 but including 2% palm oil.

[0109] The study lasted 28 days.

[0110] The animals are weighed on D0, D14 and D28, and their food balances and health monitoring are assessed. Results#:

[0111] The weight is shown in Table 1. Group 1 “insect oil” has a better than groups 2 and 3.

[0112] [Tables 1] FwL CT 30 SS? S5S Average weight at D2S in GiMO = Gain iWyen QyotiWn (in g)

[0113] Feed intake is illustrated in Table 2. Group 1 “insect oil” has a better feed intake than groups 2 and 3. Group 1 “insect oil” also has a feed intake index similar to groups 2 and 3.

[0114] [T ables 2] " = ® iss 97* ISS 1.^ 15$ CW = Conso#7?mt / ori Woyenne ^ar a>™ in g) IGT = Consumer Affairs Office between JO and J28

[0115] The quality of feces is illustrated in Table 3.

[0116] [Tables3] Number of days reached with feces > 0 Population reached (when score > 0) 1: <33% 2: 33-66% 3: >66% Average intensity [Scoring of defecations (average of the boxes) 0: normal 1: soft 2: liquid 3: very liquid] Group 1 1.3 1.0 1.2 Group 2 2.1 0.9 1.7 Group 3 2.0 1.0 1.7

[0117] Few days with soft stools were observed. A lower average intensity was also observed in group 1.

[0118] Furthermore, significantly less liquid feces were observed in group 1 compared to the other groups 2 and 3. Thus, the quality of the feces was better for group 1: no liquid excrement and very little very liquid excrement.

[0119] In conclusion, a better quality of feces was observed for group 1 “insect oil”, with a decrease in the occurrence of liquid feces.

[0120] The weights and GMQ are numerically higher for group 1 “insect oil” than for the other groups, which reflects good food consumption (i.e. good food intake and good conversion ratio).

[0121] Example 3: Contribution of insect fat according to the invention in the diet of piglets in 1 ~ and 2 ~ ages

[0122] The objective of this trial is to compare the contribution of different fatty substances (fat or oil) of different origins in the diet of piglets in the 1st and 2nd ages, to evaluate the benefits. Protocol#:

[0123] 2 groups of 21-day-old piglets are divided as follows:

[0124] Group A (comparative, control): piglets fed in phase 1 with a feed comprising 50% by weight of wheat, 15% by weight of barley, 10% by weight of soybean, 2.5% by weight of rapeseed oil, 1.2% by weight of whey protein, the remainder of the composition being made up of various conventional ingredients;

[0125] Group B (invention, “combo”): piglets fed in phase 1 with a feed similar to group A but comprising 1.5% by weight of insect fat according to example 1 and 1.5% of rapeseed oil.

[0126] The study followed the piglets in 2 phases:

[0127] Phase 1 (1st age): age 21 days to 42 days; then

[0128] Phase 2 (2nd age): age 43 days to 69 days.

[0129] In phase 1, the piglets in each group are fed as indicated above; in phase 2, they are all fed the same standard feed.

[0130] The animals are weighed, and their food balance and health monitoring are assessed. Results#:

[0131] Weight gain is illustrated in Table 4. Daily weight gains are similar between the control group and group B.

[0132] [Tables4] Average daily weight gain, in g per day, between D22-D69 (entire study, i.e. phases 1+2) Group A 552 Group B 550

[0133] Food intake is illustrated in Table 5. Food intake is lower in group B.

[0134] [Tables5] Average daily food intake, in g per day, between D22-D69 (entire study, i.e. phases 1+2) Group A 812 Group B 793

[0135] The feed conversion ratio is shown in Table 6. The lower the ratio, the better the feed, since less feed is needed to achieve the same final weight. Group B has a better ratio.

[0136] [Tableauxô] Feed conversion ratio, between D2 2-D69 (entire study, i.e. phases 1+2) Group A 1.47 Group B 1.44

[0137] The quality of the feces is illustrated in Table 7. Group B has a greater quantity of normal feces, and less liquid feces.

[0138] [Tables7] Fecal quality in the 1st week of phase 2 Group A 55% normal feces - 9.5% intermediate feces - 35.5% liquid feces Group B 69% normal feces - 11.9% intermediate feces - 1.9% liquid feces

[0139] Finally, the bacterial load and the enterobacteria load are measured.

[0140] Numerically, it is noted that this load decreases between the beginning and the end of phase 1. A greater decrease in the bacterial load is observed for group B (-0.95 log10 CFU / mL vs -0.65 log10 CFU / mL). A decrease in the enterobacteria load is observed at the end of phase 1 compared to weaning. This decrease is the greatest for piglets in group B (-0.97 log10 CFU / mL for group B and -0.92 log10 CFU / mL for group A).

[0141] Thus, the bacterial load is improved, particularly with regard to enterobacteria.

[0142] In conclusion, better feed intake, better feed conversion ratio, better fecal quality and decreased bacterial load are observed at least for group B.

[0143] Example 3: Calculation of the carbon footprint in pig farming

[0144] The substitution of vegetable oils, in particular soybean oil, with insect fat according to the invention has a strong impact on the carbon footprint of feed intended for pigs. Even at very low inclusion rates in the feed, the share of fats or oils in the carbon footprint of the complete feed is significant.

[0145] If we base ourselves, for example, on data relating to conventional pig feeding in England, we can easily calculate the impact on the carbon footprint of the complete feed of substituting oil (here soybean) with insect fat.

[0146] (based on data published in the 2009 study Carbon footprints of conventional and organic pork: assessments of typical production Systems in the Netherlands, Denmark, England and Germany Carbon footprints of conventional and organic pork: assessments of typical production Systems in the Netherlands, Denmark, England and Germany - Authors: Kool, A.; Blonk, H.; Ponsioen, T.; Sukkel, VE; Vermeer, HM; Vries, JW de; Hoste, R).

[0147] A typical pig feed in England is composed of 14% soybean meal and 2% soybean oil, representing 32.0% and 8.5% of the carbon impact of the complete feed respectively.

[0148] Replacing all of the soybean oil with insect fat according to the invention allows the following conclusions to be drawn (see Table 8): - the insect fat according to the invention has a carbon footprint reduced by 95% compared to soybean oil (218 kg CO2 eq / T for insect oil vs 4219 kg CO2 eq / T for soybean oil); the carbon footprint ratio to inclusion rate is lowest for insect fat: 0.22 vs 4.23 for soybean oil and 2.29 for soybean meal; • the carbon footprint of the fat present in the feed goes from 8.5% to 0.4%, i.e. a reduction of 8.0% of the total carbon footprint of the pig feed; • to achieve the same reduction in carbon footprint, i.e. 8%, it would be necessary to reduce the proportion of soybean meal by approximately a third, or to reduce the proportion of soybean meal in the feed by 4%.

[0149] [Tables8] Inclusion rate in feed Carbon footprint of the ingredient alone (kg CO2 eq / T) Carbon footprint of the ingredient in the complete feed (kg CO2 eq / T) % of the carbon footprint of the ingredient in the complete feed Ratio between the % of the carbon footprint and the inclusion rate Soybean meal 14% 2280 319.2 32% 2.29 Soybean oil 2% 4219 84.38 8.5% 4.23 Insect fat 2% 218 4.36 0.44% 0.22 Complete feed and pork (UK) 997

Claims

Claims

1. Insect fat having a total saturated fatty acid content greater than the total unsaturated fatty acid content, and a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids, or feed comprising said fat, for use in improving the intestinal health of pigs.

2. Insect fat for use according to claim 1, wherein the pigs are piglets aged 20 to 75 days, preferably 21 to 69 days, preferably 21 to 42 days or 43 to 69 days.

3. Insect fat, having a total content of saturated fatty acids greater than the total content of unsaturated fatty acids, a content of at least 35% by weight of lauric acid relative to the total weight of fatty acids and a content of at least 13% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to the total weight of fatty acids, preferably having the following profile, by weight relative to the total weight of fatty acids: from 60% to 80% by weight, preferably from 65% to 75% by weight, preferably from 70% to 75% by weight of saturated fatty acids, and from 20% to 40% by weight, preferably from 25% to 35% by weight, preferably from 25% to 30% by weight of unsaturated fatty acids, preferably from 35% to 50% by weight, preferably from 40% to 45% by weight of lauric acid, and / or preferably from 10% to 20% by weight, preferably from 10% to 15% by weight of palmitic acid, and / or preferably from 5% to 15% by weight, preferably from 7% to 10% by weight of myristic acid,preferably from 10% to 20% by weight, preferably from 10% to 15% by weight of monounsaturated fatty acids, and / or preferably from 13% to 25% by weight, preferably from 14% to 22% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and / or preferably from 5% to 15% by weight, preferably from 7% to 11% by weight of oleic acid and its isomers, preferably from 11% to 25% by weight, preferably from 12% to 21% by weight of linoleic acid, and / or preferably from 1% to 3% by weight, preferably from 1% to 2.5% by weight of alpha-linolenic acid.,

4. Insect fat according to claim 3, characterized in that the insect is of the order Diptera, preferably of the genus Hermetia , preferably Hermetia illucens, preferably the fat comes from insect larvae.

5. Feed for livestock, preferably for pigs, comprising at least one insect fat according to one of claims 3 or 4, preferably in an amount of between 0.5% and 5% by weight relative to the total weight of feed, preferably between 0.6% and 3% by weight, and optionally at least one cereal and / or at least one protein source, preferably said feed comprises: from 0.5% to 3% by weight, preferably from 0.6% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of feed, of at least one insect fat according to one of claims 3 or 4, at least 50% by weight, preferably from 55% to 70% by weight relative to the total weight of feed, of at least one cereal, preferably chosen from wheat, barley, corn and mixtures thereof, and from 10% to 30% by weight, preferably of 12% to 25% by weight relative to the total weight of feed, of at least one source of protein, preferably chosen from soybean meal, rapeseed meal,whey proteins and their mixtures.,