From Science to Innovation in Aquatic Animal Nutrition: A Global TRL-Based Assessment of Insect-Derived Feed Technologies via Scientific Publications and Patents

The use of insects for feed has a significant impact on aquaculture, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2), among others. This study mapped the intermediate Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), encompassing scientific knowledge (TRL 3) through 971 scientific articles (Scopus) and technological development (TRLs 4-5) through 218 patents (Espacenet). The highest conversions from TRL 3 to TRLs 4-5 were observed for fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and annelids. Key technological targets include carp and black soldier flies (BSF). Most technologies follow circular economy principles. Emerging themes include immunity, cloning, molecular techniques, metabolomics, and genetics. China leads in TRLs 3-5, followed by the United States. Only France, the United States, and five additional countries hold export-oriented patents targeting 26 markets, primarily involving BSF-based feed formulations. Future growth trends are exponential for scientific articles, logarithmic for total patents, and linear for export patents. Collaboration at TRLs 4-5 remains limited, underscoring the need for greater international cooperation to expand access to sustainable insect-based aquaculture feed technologies.