Preserve insect meals and oils with Oxabiol®
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Introduction: Innovation in Animal Nutrition
Insect meal and insect oil are gaining momentum as sustainable and innovative alternatives to traditional raw materials such as fishmeal and soybean. They provide an excellent nutritional profile, being rich in proteins, essential amino acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, this same richness comes with a challenge: their high degree of unsaturation makes them particularly vulnerable to lipid oxidation during storage and processing.
Lipid oxidation reduces nutritional quality, affects feed palatability, and may generate potentially harmful compounds. For feed manufacturers, this means reduced product performance, shorter shelf life, and risks to animal health. To address these challenges, natural antioxidants have proven to be the most effective solution to stabilize insect-based ingredients and ensure their long-term quality.
The Challenge: Lipid Oxidation in Insect Meals & Oils
Lipid oxidation is a chemical process in which unsaturated fatty acids react with oxygen, leading to the formation of peroxides and secondary compounds. These reactions can:
- Degrade proteins, fatty acids, and vitamins.
- Reduce feed efficiency and animal performance.
- Cause rancidity, off-flavors, and lower palatability.
- Potentially generate toxic compounds.
Factors such as oxygen exposure, light, high temperatures, and processing conditions accelerate oxidation, making stability a key concern when incorporating insect ingredients into animal feed.
The Role of Natural Antioxidants in Animal Nutrition
Natural antioxidants are plant-derived compounds that protect lipids against oxidation and improve feed stability. Among the most widely used in animal nutrition are:
- Tocopherols (Vitamin E) Prevent the formation of free radicals in lipids, acting as the first line of defense.
- Polyphenols (e.g., rosemary, green tea) Neutralize free radicals and chelate catalytic metals, further enhancing stability.
Beyond their protective effect, these compounds can also contribute to immunomodulation, improved gut health, and higher product quality (meat, milk, eggs), providing added value to animal production systems.
Practical Application in Animal Feed
The incorporation of natural antioxidants into insect meal and oil can be carried out through different strategies:
- Direct application: Mixing the antioxidant directly with insect meal or oil before storage to ensure protection from the earliest stage.
- Combination with functional ingredients: Pairing antioxidants with other bioactive compounds (e.g., vitamins with antioxidant properties) for synergistic effects.
These approaches allow feed manufacturers to tailor the level of protection to the specific type of insect ingredient, lipid profile, and intended shelf life.
The Solution: OXABIOL®
At Btsa, we specialize in natural antioxidant solutions for the feed industry. Oxabiol® is our antioxidant based on mixed tocopherols, designed specifically to stabilize high-value raw materials such as insect meals and oils.
By preventing lipid oxidation, Oxabiol®:
- Maintains the nutritional integrity of proteins, essential fatty acids, and vitamins.
- Extends shelf life during storage and transportation.
- Preserves palatability and freshness, avoiding rancidity.
- Offers a natural and safe solution aligned with clean-label and sustainability demands.
With Oxabiol®, feed manufacturers can ensure consistent product quality and protect the nutritional value of their formulations.
Oxabiol® CASE STUDY:
In this study, conducted at the Btsa laboratory, we evaluated the oxidative stability of an insect flour stabilized with our natural antioxidant solution, OXABIOL® PREMIUM. The objective was to assess how effectively OXABIOL® PREMIUM can protect this innovative protein source against lipid oxidation, ensuring improved shelf life, nutritional quality, and product safety.
Key Benefits of Oxabiol® for Insect Ingredients
- Effective antioxidant protection for insect meals and oils.
- Preserves essential nutrients – proteins, amino acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Supports feed efficiency and animal health.
- Improves product stability during storage and processing.
- Clean-label solution based on natural tocopherols.
- Contributes to sustainable animal nutrition by safeguarding innovative raw materials.
Why Choose Btsa?
- Over 30 years of expertise in natural antioxidants and Vitamin E solutions.
- Trusted partner of the global feed and pet food industry.
- Tailor-made solutions for different raw materials and applications.
- Commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality.
Are you working with insect meals and oils in your feed formulations?
Protect their value and stability with Oxabiol®.
Contact our team today for technical advice, samples, or tailored solutions.
