Insects are commonly eaten by more than two billion people around the world. EFSA's recent approval of Tenebrio molitor larvae as food paves the way for insect consumption in the European Union. The introduction of insects as food in the diet of Western countries could be an environmental-friendly solution to the growing demand for animal proteins over intensive farming. Despite advances in legislation and food safety, there is still a cultural barrier to be overcome, which still considers insects as organisms harmful to agriculture and humans. Furthermore, insects represent interesting sources of feeds for animal rearing.In this scenario, the present Ph.D. Research project will focus on insect species to be used as food and feed in a context of circular economy. Three trophic systems will put to the test. In the first one, larvae of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, will be reared on a cheap and organic semi-artificial diet, then the larvae and pupae will be tested as a novel feed for poultry, to examine the possible beneficial contribution of this feed supplement on the meat and egg production, with special reference to the contents of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and lipids. Mycotoxins contamination of meat and eggs from chickens feed on commercial cereal-based feed vs. Insect-enriched feed will be assessed.Within the circular economy framework, the exhausted medfly diet, still rich in proteins, sugars, and fibers, will be tested as a feed supplement for organic rearing of free-ranging swine, putting in comparison two breeds, i.E., Large White and the local Tuscan breed Cinta Senese. In both cases, the potential impact of the feed supplement described above on the meat quality, in terms amino acid, vitamin, antioxidant, and lipid contents will be studied. Third, while massive research efforts are currently ongoing to shed light on the potential of insects and food and feed, very little is known about their potential as feed for high-value aquatic crustaceans. Herein we propose the creation of microcosm-like rearing of at least two crayfish species which will be feed using mass-reared Tenebrio molitor and Musca domestica larvae. Besides comparing the production of crayfishes if compared to rearing methods currently used in the real world, the impact of insect-based feeding on crustacean meat quality (in terms of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and lipids) will be investigated. The expression of detoxification genes (e.G. GST and cytochrome P450) in crustaceans reared or not with insect-based feeds will be assessed.The insect metabolic byproducts will be used as novel fertilizers, conducting experiments on horticultural crops, and assessing the contents in nutraceuticals of the final products, if compared to control ones.For all the trophic systems reported above, the impact and overall appeal of final food products will be assessed through dedicated analyses of consumer choices within the agri-food sector.

Successful candidates are expected to have: knowledge of basic biology and biophysics laboratories, as well as good theoretical background to execute the above described activities; creative problem-solving ability; open-mindedness; active listening capability; reliability; accountability and attention to detail; desire to learn and learning agility. Applicants would be expected to demonstrate high motivation and to be fluent in English.

The research team include the Entomology, Animal Science and Plant Pathology research units. The Entomology unit deals with the study of olive and vine entomofauna and foodstuffs, medicinal herbs, insects of urban and medical-veterinary interest. It owns equipment for morphological and behavioural studies (e.G. SEM, Laser Vibrometer, Wind Tunnel, olfactometers). The Animal Science unit is interested in milk and cheese quality, meat quality and influence of feeding and farming systems on fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat, effect of genetic and environmental factors on milk fat composition, study of the effects of genetic polymorphisms on milk fatty acid composition. It is equipped of field and lab equipment for morpho-physiological and biochemical analyses (e.G. HPLC, GC-MS, Kjeldahl tools). The Plant Pathology unit is focused on the oxidative stress on plant species, biopesticides and contamination by mycotoxins of plant products and food. It is equipped of greenhouses, a growth chamber, as well as field and lab equipment for morpho-physiological and biochemical analyses (e.G. Microplate reader, HPLC, GC-MS). Andrea Lucchi, Giovanni Benelli, Marcello Mele and Elisa Pellegrini are involved in the present research programme.In addition, the scientists of the group belong to the interdisciplinary center of the University of Pisa in charge of the management of large facilities and instrumentations. The key-qualities of this group are: clear communication among all team members; consensus among all team members; problem solving ability; positive, supportive working relationships among all team members; national and international connections with other research teams; good capability of fund raising.