Abstract: The invention relates to chitin, a hydrolysate and a method for the production of at least one desired product from insects. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for the production of at least one desired product from insects, comprising an insect cuticle pressing step, followed by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the insect cuticles using a proteolytic enzyme.

Abstract: An insect sorting device, machine, and use thereof, which improves sorting efficacy by prompting the insects to cling onto the belt, comprising a belt conveyor (2) having an upper surface (5) and a lower surface (6) formed by the belt (3) of the conveyor (2). When the belt (3) is turned over to pass onto the lower surface (6) of the conveyor (2) all or some of the insects of a mixture remain attached to the belt (3) while the rest of the mixture falls by gravity. The upper surface (5) of the conveyor (2) being substantially flat and horizontal over a majority of its length between the first end (7) and the second end (8), it comprises an end portion (14), adjacent the second end (8), having a downward inclination, comprised between 20° and 90° relative to the rest of the upper surface (5) of the conveyor (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for breeding insects, comprising growth phases during which the insects are stored in a controlled environment, said growth phases alternating with operating sequences during which at least one specific breeding operation is performed. The method comprises a sequence, referred to as synchronization sequence, during which a batch of insects is sorted and divided into a plurality of size or maturity categories in separate containers, then said containers (31, 32) are grouped together to form basic breeding units (UE) comprising a predefined number of containers (31, 32), a basic breeding unit (UE) comprising only insects of the same category.

Abstract: The invention concerns an insect-breeding facility comprising a climatic zone (Z1, Z2) for storing the insects. The facility comprises an air-conditioning zone (Z4) comprising an air-conditioning system, for bringing air to a first temperature, and simultaneously for bringing air to a second temperature (T2). A first set of pipes (C1) is configured to transport the air at the first temperature from the air-conditioning zone (Z4) to the climatic zone (Z1, Z2) and to deliver it there, a second set of pipes (C2) is configured to transport the air at the second temperature from the air-conditioning zone (Z4) to the climatic zone (Z1, Z2) and to deliver it there. The facility also comprises a device for extracting air from the climatic zone (Z1, Z2). The invention also concerns a corresponding method for air conditioning in a climatic zone (Z1, Z2) of an insect-breeding facility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a facility for farming insects, the facility comprising automated guided vehicles (AGV) configured to move containers within the facility. The automated guided vehicles (AGV) include at least one automated sensor-equipped guided vehicle (AGVI) which is provided with at least one sensor for measuring a parameter that is characteristic of a state of the facility. The invention thus developed enables monitoring of the state of a facility to be optimised in a facility for farming insects by taking advantage of the means used to transport the containers within the facility.

Abstract: The breeding of insects and to the separation of insect eggs from other constituents of an egg-laying medium is disclosed. An egg-laying medium for insects, comprising at least 75% by weight of a non-consumable texturing substrate in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a size of less than 0.5 mm, and at least 5% by weight of a nutrient substrate, wherein the weight percentages are given in relation to the total weight of the insect egg-laying medium is disclosed. A laying tray and uses of the laying tray, particularly in a method for collecting insect eggs, are disclosed.

Abstract: Breeding of insects and more particularly to the separation of insect eggs from other constituents of an egg-laying medium is disclosed. An egg-laying medium for insects, comprising at least 80% by weight of a solid substrate in the form of particles, at lest 85% by weight of said particles having a size of less than 0.5 mm, wherein the weight percentage is given in relation to the total weight of the insect egg-laying medium is disclosed. A laying tray and uses of the laying tray, particularly in a method for collecting insect eggs, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of chitin and/or chitosan from insects. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for the production of chitin and/or chitosan from insect cuticles, comprising an insect cuticle pressing step, followed by a step involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of the insect cuticles using a proteolytic enzyme, the cuticles having been treated with an oxidising agent prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing blocks of an aqueous gel, comprising: a step of forming a compound by mixing: i. an aqueous substrate; and ii. the gelling agent,—a step of drawing off the compound;—a step of in-line cooling of the compound so as to bring it below a second temperature at which it gels;—a step of transferring to a distribution line;—a step of cutting the gelled compound into blocks at the outlet of the distribution line; and—a step of distributing the blocks of gel into a farming container immediately after the gel is cut into blocks. Such a method allows blocks of gel to be produced continuously and as required in the context of rearing livestock, in particular rearing insects. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gel used as a source of water and/or nutrients for rearing insects. The gel comprises 90 to 99.6% by weight of an aqueous substrate comprising at least 25% by weight, of the total weight of the aqueous substrate, of a liquid coproduct from agro-industry, 0.3 to 2% by weight of a gelling agent, and 0.1 to 5% by weight of a preservative, the percentages by weight of aqueous substrate, gelling agent and preservative being expressed over the total weight of the gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a farm for rearing insects, comprising a first zone (Z1) in which the insects being reared are stored in containers while they grow and a second zone (Z2) comprising at least one station configured for effecting a rearing-related task on the insects in a container or on said container. The containers are grouped in the first zone (Z1) in sets of palletized containers referred to as basic units. The first zone (Z1) comprises pallet racks in which the basic units are disposed. The first zone (Z1) is furthermore equipped with an automated device configured to move the basic units between the first zone (Z1) and an interface (1) with the second zone (Z2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of chitin and/or chitosan from insects. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for the production of chitin and/or chitosan from insect cuticles, comprising an insect cuticle pressing step, followed by a step involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of the insect cuticles using a proteolytic enzyme, the cuticles having been treated with an oxidising agent prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for breeding insects, comprising growth phases during which the insects are stored in a controlled environment, said growth phases alternating with operating sequences during which at least one specific breeding operation is performed. The method comprises a sequence, referred to as synchronization sequence, during which a batch of insects is sorted and divided into a plurality of size or maturity categories in separate containers, then said containers (31, 32) are grouped together to form basic breeding units (UE) comprising a predefined number of containers (31, 32), a basic breeding unit (UE) comprising only insects of the same category.

Abstract: The invention relates to a farm for rearing insects, comprising a first zone (Z1) in which the insects being reared are stored in containers while they grow and a second zone (Z2) comprising at least one station configured for effecting a rearing-related task on the insects in a container or on said container. The containers are grouped in the first zone (Z1) in sets of palletized containers referred to as basic units. The first zone (Z1) comprises pallet racks in which the basic units are disposed. The first zone (Z1) is furthermore equipped with an automated device configured to move the basic units between the first zone (Z1) and an interface (1) with the second zone (Z2).

Abstract: The invention relates to chitin, a hydrolysate and a method for the production of at least one desired product from insects. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for the production of at least one desired product from insects, comprising an insect cuticle pressing step, followed by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the insect cuticles using a proteolytic enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to chitin, a hydrolysate and a method for the production of at least one desired product from insects. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for the production of chitin and/or chitosan from insect cuticles, comprising a step in which insect cuticles are treated with an oxidising agent, followed by a step involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of the insect cuticles using a proteolytic enzyme.