Omnivorous Fish Feed Using Blowfly Larvae Protein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fish feeds for omnivorous ornamental fishes are costly and nutritionally inadequate, leading to nutritional deficiencies, and existing alternatives fail to provide a balanced and sustainable source of protein, particularly for ichthyotherapy applications.
Innovation Solution
A feed comprising 76.8% blowfly larvae, 17.7% microalgae, 4.4% carrot, and 1.1% vitamin supplement, processed through freezing and lyophilization, offering a balanced nutritional profile with 50% protein, 18% lipids, 18% carbohydrates, 9% minerals, 3% fibers, and 2% vitamins, replacing fishmeal with a sustainable and inexpensive insect-based protein source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fishmeal-based feeds are used, then high nutritional quality is achieved, but production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the protein source parameter from traditional fishmeal to insect larvae (black soldier fly, housefly, soldier fly), maintaining high protein content (40-60% crude protein) while reducing production costs by 30-50%. The insect larvae are processed through drying and grinding to match the functional properties of fishmeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses insect larvae as a cheap, readily available protein source that can be mass-produced through controlled breeding. The larvae are converted into feed material through simple processing (drying, grinding), replacing expensive fishmeal while maintaining nutritional adequacy for omnivorous fishes.
2Ease of manufacture
If plant-based alternatives (soybeans, yeasts) replace fishmeal, then production costs decrease, but nutritional properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite feed formulation combining insect larvae (40-60% protein) with plant-based ingredients (soybean meal, wheat bran, rice bran) and animal by-products (blood meal, bone meal). This composite approach achieves nutritional balance comparable to fishmeal while reducing costs, as the insect larvae provide high-quality complete proteins that plant sources alone cannot supply.
3Quantity of substance
If existing fly larvae feeds are used, then protein source is provided, but nutritional balance for omnivorous fishes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent tailors the feed composition specifically for omnivorous fishes by adjusting the ratio of insect larvae to plant and animal ingredients. The feed includes specific components like blood meal and bone meal to supplement nutrients that insect larvae alone cannot provide, ensuring complete nutritional balance for the target species.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal feed formulation that can be applied to various omnivorous fish species (including aquarium fishes and ichthyotherapy species). The balanced composition incorporating multiple protein sources and nutritional supplements makes it broadly applicable while maintaining species-specific nutritional requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The feed promotes healthy growth and development of omnivorous fishes, reducing production costs and environmental impact while providing a balanced nutritional composition, outperforming traditional fishmeal-based feeds in growth rates and animal welfare.
Implementation Method 1
The method for the preparation of the said feed includes high temperature heating, which may negatively affect the quality of the vitamins contained in the feed. This invention (Omnifeed), in addition to not using high temperatures in its manufacturing process, includes a vitamin supplement as one of its components
Implementation Method 2
The patent document under the publication number US2015173400, on its turn, discloses feeds using house fly larvae or pupae... The method for the preparation of the said feed includes high temperature heating, which may negatively affect the quality of the vitamins contained in the feed. This invention (Omnifeed), in addition to not using high temperatures in its manufacturing process... The patent document published under the number US5618574 relates to a feed intended for aquaculture fishes, comprising soldier fly (species: Hermetia illucens) and house fly (species: Musca domestica) larvae and pupae... being prepared by means of freezing and lyophilisation
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention falls within the scope of foods for aquaculture and aquarium fishes. It relates to a feed for omnivorous fishes, in particular fishes with nutritional deficiencies (such as the fishes used in ichthyotherapy), which allows them to healthily grow and develop, with a diet comprised of nutritious, innovative and low-cost ingredients. A feed comprising ingredients from animal and plant origin is the object of this invention, in which animal protein comes exclusively from blowfly larvae. The feed's ingredients are blowfly larvae (Asticot) (76,8%), microalgae (17,7%), carrot (4,4%) and a vitamin supplement (1,1%). The invention further relates to a method for the preparation of the said feed, which includes the steps of freezing, lyophilisation, mixing the ingredients, moulding, drying and cutting.