Pan-Pacific Conference XXXIV. Designing New Business Models in Developing Economies

IV. FUTURE CHALLENGES AND
ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES IN
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Organisms of antimicrobial peptides contained in
larvae produce resistance factors as a defense
mechanism against microbial infection. According
to recent studies, it has been reported that slowing
down of antimicrobial peptide production is a
complication of bacterial infections, and the
organisms are effective for bacteria, fungi and
viruses, as well as cancer cells. Application research
in various fields is under way, and development in
food and medical fields is expected as an alternative
to a chemical antimicrobial agent that may cause
adverse effects on the human body and the
environment when used in large quantities.
Current cost structure of IPC plant deployed in
Japan is 200 yen per kg (USD 1.8) including labour,
supplies, utilities and the facility costs. In order for
the production cost per kg to be reduced to
approximately 132.5 yen (USD 1.2) and secure
constant revenue for the farms, labour cost needs to
be reduced.
As the biggest challenge for operating IPC plant in
Japan is the high wages, it may make more sense to
run the operation of the system overseas with lower
labour costs or develop more efficient automated
IPC plant that requires least human involvement.
However, the issue is expected to resolve once
practical application of extracted larval components
in medicines is executed and the value of maggots is
reviewed and appreciated.
REFERENCES
[1] E’s Inc.: IPC Unit Production Process
2013, Insect Power Compost/IPC
Technology Outline 2013
http://www.esinc.co.jp
[2] FAO The State of World Fisheries and
Aquaculture 2014: Fishstat Capture and
Aquaculture Production Food Balance
Sheets
[3] Ido, A. et al. South Ehime Fisheries
Research Center, Ehime University:
Dietary effects of housefly (Musca
domestica) (Diptera:Muscidae) pupae on
the growth performance and the resistance
against bacterial pathogen in red sea
bream (Pagrus major) (Perciformes:
Sparidae) Appl. Entomol. Zool., 2015
[4] Japan Fisheries Agency: 2011 Fisheries
White Paper
[5] Japan Science and Technology Agency:
A-Step Deliverable 2016
[6] Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries Japan: Problems and
Environmental Issues on Livestock Farms
[7] United Nations Department of Economic
and Social Affairs, Population Division:
World Population Prospects, the 2015
Revision
177