Advancing insect agriculture through collaboration
What is CEIF?
The Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming (CEIF) represents a first-of-its-kind research center that helps the Insect Agriculture Sector realize its potential to sustainably deliver alternative proteins, functional/therapeutic ingredients, and more.
We are working with Industry, Academia, and Government to pursue foundational, pre-competitive research that will drive growth of the Insect Agriculture sector.
Sound like you? Support our mission by joining our initiative.
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We have one planet with limited resources.
Insect farming is part of the solution. Less water. Less land.
Less greenhouse gas emissions.
More options.
We provide high quality research that meets the needs of industry, so that industry, in turn, can further explore the use of insect protein, with suitable regulatory approvals, as food for humans and animals.
Foundational research that will drive growth of the Insect Agriculture sector
CEIF SEMINAR SERIES SPOTLIGHT
The CEIF Seminar Series offers regular presentations from researchers and guest lecturers on various aspects of insect agriculture. These include discussions of papers in the CEIF Digital Library, presentations by experts, and detailed explorations of CEIF projects.
Dr. Shankar Shanmugam's presentation explores the potential of insect frass as a bio-fertilizer and bio-stimulant. His funded research investigates the frass microbiome's impact on crop production. Frass, a byproduct of insect farming, shows promise due to its nutrient cycling capabilities, phosphorus solubilization, and plant growth-promoting substances (PGPS).
The project's first year characterized frass from various insect species and feedstocks, revealing significant variations in microbiome diversity and nutrient content. Cricket frass exhibited higher microbial diversity, while black soldier fly frass showed higher nitrogen content. Frass is a rich source of micronutrients, which is highly beneficial.
The second year focuses on greenhouse trials to assess frass's effects on plant growth, soil nitrogen availability, and microbial health. Concerns about potential pathogens were addressed, with some plant and human pathogens detected at low levels, requiring further study. Future work includes field trials and the potential development of a frass-derived bio-stimulant.
