At Protiberia we aspire to be part of a consortium in which we can contribute to Topic 1 or Topic 2 of this call by using the frass as a new and important key player towards a transition to a more ecological agriculture in Europe. We can offer different ways in which frass could be modified or transformed, improving its use as a fertiliser/amendment to the soil and advancing towards more sustainable agricultural practices.

Frass is the excreta of the insect Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) and is generated during all the phases of the breeding process, mainly during the larval stage. Frass from Tenebrio molitor shows some qualities that renders it as a fertilizer for use in agriculture, since it presents a nutritional balance and a content in organic matter superior to the current organic fertilizers of the market. In addition, the presence of the natural polysaccharide chitin in these excrements revalues them even more for this new use, since it is a compound with antimicrobial activity, ability to promote plant growth, inducing resistance and favoring symbiotic relationships. On the other hand, the gut microbiota of Tenebrio molitor is partly transferred to the frass, containing important beneficial microorganisms for plants and crops.

Mealworm farming represents a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture. It requires less water and land, consumes less energy (which in our case comes from solar panels) and generates minimal CO₂ emissions, with levels close to zero. In addition, these insects feed on agricultural by-products, transforming them into biomass rich in high-quality proteins and lipids, suitable for animal and human food, as well as frass, a resource for agriculture.

We believe that the use of this biofertiliser could further promote circular economy and agroecology practices, improving the sustainability of agricultural systems, economic viability and competitiveness of farms, while enhancing food supply security.

Protiberia is a Spanish biotech SME focused on the study and research of the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) and all the products (high-quality animal protein meal, lipids and fats, functional ingredients, etc.) and by-products (frass, chitin, chitosan, etc.) derived from this insect, with the ultimate objective of developing products for the feed (such as aquaculture, poultry, swine, pet and zoos, etc.) and food industry, and biofertilizer for agriculture.