Chitin analysis for insect-based feed

Breeding insects requires little water and little space. At the same time, they produce fewer CO₂ emissions than, for example, cow and pig farming. This makes them a promising alternative and a protein source of the future.

Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 classifies insect-based products as "novel foods". This means they can officially be used in the production of food. The food industry reacted quickly and insects can already be found in everyday products such as baked goods, protein powders and pasta.

While insect-based products are becoming increasingly established in the food industry, the animal feed industry is also becoming aware of the economic and ecological benefits of these products. They are increasingly being used as a source of protein in poultry, pig and pet food, for example.

To protect the welfare of humans and animals, national and international standards and guidelines regulate the use of insect-based products in food and animal feed production. They stipulate the analysis and transparent declaration of certain parameters. This also applies to the protein content.

However, the analysis of protein in insect-based products is complex. The reason for this is the polysaccharide chitin, a component of the exoskeleton of insects. Chitin contains nitrogen, which is assigned to crude protein in classic protein analysis. However, the chitin-bound nitrogen cannot be processed by humans or animals and should therefore be analyzed separately.

A cost-effective and efficient method for chitin determination is therefore required!

Together with the International Research Association of Feed Technology (IFF), we have taken up the challenge and developed a suitable method. It is based on classic, already established chemical methods: crude fibre determination according to Weender and nitrogen determination according to Kjeldahl.

Information on the methodology and precise data can be found in our white paper.