A process for converting invertebrates into a feedstock include steps of separating solid and liquid invertebrate components, creating a growth medium comprising at least part of at least one of the invertebrate components, subjecting the growth medium to microbial fermentation, and terminating or inhibiting microbial fermentation. Preferably the process further includes separating the liquid invertebrate component into lipid and non-lipid fractions, and the growth medium comprises at least one of the solid invertebrate component and the non-lipid invertebrate fraction. The microbial fermentation may be carried out using one or more members of the bacteria, fungi and archea kingdoms, preferably one or more members of the Lactobacilliales, Bacilliales, Bifidobacteriales, Saccharomycetales or Eurotiales orders. The fermentation may be a one-stage process (see figure 1), or a two-stage process in which a first stage uses a growth medium comprising solid invertebrate component and non-lipid liquid fraction, and a second stage uses a growth medium comprising the non-lipid fraction. The invertebrates may be larvae, prepupae or pupae, and may be members of the Ectodysozoa or Lophotrochozoa superphyla. The invertebrates are preferably Hermetia illucens. A composition obtained via the process, and a composition comprising defined percentages of components derived from invertebrates, are also claimed.
