Perspectives for Integral Utilization of Crickets in Aquaculture

Cricket meal is increasingly considered a sustainable alternative to fishmeal in aquaculture, although its performance depends on the effective use of nutritional and functional components. This review examines evidence on including cricket meal in aquafeeds and the factors that may limit or enhance its application. Species-dependent responses to fishmeal replacement are discussed in relation to polyunsaturated fatty acid imbalance and chitin content. Strategies to improve lipid functionality include defatting, enriching the cricket’s rearing substrate to promote ω-3 fatty acid bioaccumulation, microbial fatty acid biotransformation, and enzymatic interesterification. The review also evaluates chitin and chitosan as health-promoting compounds with prebiotic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and water-quality-related functions. Finally, fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis are considered as tools to improve nutrient bioavailability. Overall, the integrated utilization of cricket meal components may increase its nutritional value, functional performance, and suitability as an aquaculture feed ingredient.