DEVELOPING PRE-CONSUMER WASTE AS LOW-COST CRICKET FEED FOR SMALL FARMING OPERATIONS

The primary goal of this project is to develop a sustainable and cost-effective cricket protein powder that meets both sensory and nutritional expectations, addressing the environmental and economic challenges associated with traditional livestock farming methods for protein production. This project aims to enhance the flavor profile and nutritional composition of cricket protein powder while ensuring it remains competitively priced in the market. Here are the objectives for this goal:Develop a cricket diet from food waste that produces a cricket protein powder with a flavor and nutritional profile that is acceptable to the target buyer.Utilize instrumental measurements and sensory analysis to establish a quantitative threshold, thereby streamlining sensory evaluation by discarding samples below this threshold.Develop and implement a feed formula production strategy aimed at achieving a final production cost at or below the competitive market price, considering both the FCR and food waste input costs as key factors in cost optimization.