Bugs in Bugs: The Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Maintenance of Health in Mass-Reared Insects

Simple Summary The importance of insect farming is increasing in the livestock market by evolving into a form of intensive production that is often characterized by a high density of individuals kept in closed environments. These conditions can cause a higher risk of occurrence of insect diseases and the lowering of reproductive and growth performances. The role of microbiota composition in insect behaviour and health maintenance could be further studied for selecting microorganisms that act as probiotics for the main mass reared insect species. These probiotics could enhance host performances and reduce the incidence of risks related to insect diseases. Interactions between insects and their microbiota affect insect behaviour and evolution. When specific microorganisms are provided as a dietary supplement, insect reproduction, food conversion and growth are enhanced and health is improved in cases of nutritional deficiency or pathogen infection. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of insect-microbiota interactions, to review the role of probiotics, their general use in insects reared for food and feed, and their interactions with the host microbiota. We review how bacterial strains have been selected for insect species reared for food and feed and discuss methods used to isolate and measure the effectiveness of a probiotic. We outline future perspectives on probiotic applications in mass-reared insects.

Automated summary

Insect farming is becoming increasingly important in the livestock market, but the high-density and closed environment conditions can lead to higher risks of insect diseases and decreased reproductive and growth performances. The role of microbiota composition in insect behavior and health maintenance needs further study for selecting microorganisms that act as probiotics and enhance host performances while reducing risks related to insect diseases. When specific microorganisms are provided as dietary supplements, they can improve insect reproduction, food conversion, growth, and health in cases of nutritional deficiency or pathogen infection. This review provides an overview of insect-microbiota interactions, reviews the role of probiotics in insects reared for food and feed, and discusses methods for selecting and measuring the effectiveness of a probiotic. Future perspectives on probiotic applications in mass-reared insects are also outlined.