Solid polymer electrolytes for bipolar lithium ion batteries requiring electrochemical stability of 4.5 V vs. Li/Li⁺ are presented. Thus, imidazolium-containing poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) networks were prepared by crosslinking UV-photopolymerization in an in situ approach (i.e., to allow preparation directly on the electrodes used). The crosslinks in the network improve the mechanical stability of the samples, as indicated by the free-standing nature of the materials and temperature-dependent rheology measurements. The averaged mesh size calculated from rheologoical measurements varied between 1.66 nm with 10 mol% crosslinker and 4.35 nm without crosslinker. The chemical structure of the ionic liquid (IL) monomers in the network was varied to achieve the highest possible ionic conductivity. The systematic variation in three series with a number of new IL monomers offers a direct comparison of samples obtained under comparable conditions. The ionic conductivity of generation II and III PIL networks was improved by three orders of magnitude, to the range of 7.1 × 10⁻⁶ S·cm⁻¹ at 20 °C and 2.3 × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ at 80 °C, compared to known poly(vinylimidazolium·TFSI) materials (generation I). The transition from linear homopolymers to networks reduces the ionic conductivity by about one order of magnitude, but allows free-standing films instead of sticky materials. The PIL networks have a much higher voltage stability than PEO with the same amount and type of conducting salt, lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI). GII-PIL networks are electrochemically stable up to a potential of 4.7 V vs. Li/Li⁺, which is crucial for a potential application as a solid electrolyte. Cycling (cyclovoltammetry and lithium plating-stripping) experiments revealed that it is possible to conduct lithium ions through the GII-polymer networks at low currents. We concluded that the synthesized PIL networks represent suitable candidates for solid-state electrolytes in lithium ion batteries or solid-state batteries.

Nowadays alternative protein sources like edible insects are becoming widely used as human food. One of the most popular insect is yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) due to its high nutrition value. However, pretreatment and drying are necessary to increase the food shelf life and the efficiency of its use. Due to this, the purpose of the present work was the determination of influence of pretreatment methods (freezing of larvae for 1 month, freezing for 2 hours, freezing for 1 month followed by defrosting for 2 hours at room temperature, blanching) and drying methods (convection drying at 40 °C and 60 °C, microwave drying) of yellow mealworm on its color (determination of L*, а*, b*, ΔElab, Ch, H, BI), moisture content (gravimetric method), fatty acid composition (determined by gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy) and time of drying (time required to reach constant weight). It was found that all used pretreatment and drying methods had no effect on the fatty acid composition of the larvae. In terms of drying rate and color retention, microwave drying showed better results than convection drying at 40 °C and 60 °C. Meanwhile, convection drying at 40 °C leads to the higher final moisture content of the samples. Among the pretreatment methods, only blanching the larvae samples before drying retained their color better and also accelerated the rate of the convection drying.

The growth of the Earth’s population and people’s striving for healthy life style lead to an increase in the global demand for protein food. Quails are a valuable source of protein, which is thought to reduce the risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Inclusion of alternative protein sources into the composition of feeds for quails is an answer to ecological problems associated with the use of traditional protein sources. Plants, insects, algae and mushrooms are among alternative protein sources that are mentioned most frequently in scientific studies. The aim of this review is analysis of scientific literature dedicated to the use of plants, insects, algae and mushrooms as alternative protein sources in feedstuff for quails. Plant sources of protein, such as soya and maize, are successfully used in feedstuff production. However, studies have shown that addition of other sources, including by-products of crop husbandry, will allow increasing sustainability and reducing the dependence of the industry on traditional raw materials. Flour from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae is the promising and most widely studied source of protein among insects and can positively affect productivity and health of quails. Among algae, it is necessary to mention spirulina (Spirulina platensis and Arthrospira platensis). Upon addition of 4% of the spirullina powder, productivity parameters in poultry increased. Mushrooms are described as a promising protein source in feedstuff that is also capable of ensuring an increase in productivity and quality of poultry meat. Today, however, there are few studies on this subject. It is recommended to focus further studies of the application of alternative protein sources in quail diets on questions of safety of their use and more detailed analysis of economic feasibility.

Insects are a promising source of protein and lipids for food and feed purposes. The most common form of their use is flour obtained by drying and grinding. The method and conditions of insect processing significantly affect the physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic characteristics of the final product. This study compared convection and vacuum drying of yellow mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor ) and house cricket ( Acheta domesticus ) larvae at temperatures of 50 °C, 80 °C, and 105 °C. The influence of the drying method and conditions on the process rate, appearance, and microbiological safety of the resulting product was assessed. Increasing the drying temperature was found to reduce the drying time for both insect species. At temperature 50 °C, vacuum drying of A. domesticus samples achieved a moisture of less than 5 % more quickly than the convection method. Increasing the convection drying temperature led to pronounced darkening of T. molitor larval flour, whereas the color change for A. domesticus was minor. Vacuum drying under all studied conditions better preserved the original color and shape of the insects. Drying at temperature 105 °C yielded a product that met microbiological safety requirements. Therefore, the choice of drying method should be determined by the intended use of the product: vacuum drying is optimal for whole insects, preserving their marketable appearance, whereas for flour production, the more economical convection drying at high temperatures, which ensures microbiological purity, is acceptable.

INFLUENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC CEFTRIAXONE ON THE DEVELOP-MENT OF THE YELLOW MEALWORM BEETLE (Tenebrio molitor L.) E.V. Mechtaeva, A.V. Zerov, V.V. Dzyubenko, P.N. Sorokoumov, M.V. Novikova, D.S. Ryabukhin, A.Z. Zhuravleva, V.Yu. Sitnov

Antibiotics are intensively used when raising farm animals. As a result they accumulate in livestock waste, meat, and milk and can enter the soil and groundwater. Edible insects can effectively process agricultural waste reducing the concentration of drugs. In addition, such insects are one of the potential sources of alternative feed protein and have high nutritional value. Thus, studying the ability of insects to process waste containing antibacterial drugs while maintaining viability is a topical issue. In this study, the effect of the antibiotic ceftriaxone on the black soldier fly was studied. According to the results obtained, the antibiotic at a concentration of 0.1–100 mg/kg of feed has no effect on the weight, survival rate, productivity, ash content, or fatty acid and amino acid composition of the black soldier fly. At the highest concentration of this antibiotic, an increase in the moisture of the larvae is observed. Consequently, the black soldier fly can consume feed and process waste containing 0.1–100 mg/kg ceftriaxone, while maintaining viability and the basic characteristics necessary for its further use.