What’s needed to build a cleanroom for nutraceutical production from the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)?

14:28 - 18/08/2025 252

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☰ Table of Contents

1. Building a cleanroom for production from the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)
1.1. A new trend in nutraceuticals
1.2. Nutriearth’s start-up journey
1.3. A unique discovery about Tenebrio molitor
1.4. An alternative to existing vitamin D3 sources
2. Insights from Anh Khang Cleanroom
3. Why build a cleanroom for yellow mealworm production?
4. Conclusion

Building a cleanroom for production from the yellow mealworm (yellow mealworm)

A new trend in nutraceuticals

On 15 August 2025, Cleanroom Technology featured an interesting case study on building a cleanroom for nutraceutical production from the yellow mealworm—specifically the technology applied by Nutriearth, a nutraceutical producer using the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor.

Nutriearth’s start-up journey

Starting in 2017, Jérémy Defrize—after more than a decade working in the insect-farming sector—together with his close friend Thomas Dormigny, began shaping an innovative and sustainable business project. From casual conversations on the sidelines of football matches, they developed the idea of creating something meaningful and environmentally friendly.

A unique discovery about Tenebrio molitor

Jérémy, who holds a PhD in physiology, noticed something surprising about Tenebrio molitor: this insect can naturally synthesise vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight, similar to the process in humans. Notably, it can be achieved without chemicals or complex processing.

An alternative to existing vitamin D3 sources

In today’s market, vitamin D3 is commonly produced from lanolin (sheep wool fat) or from synthetic sources in Asia. Nutriearth identified an opportunity: creating a natural, sustainable, and effective alternative that differs from traditional sources.

Insights from Anh Khang Cleanroom

“In our role advising and delivering cleanroom projects for the food and pharmaceutical sectors, the yellow mealworm’s ability to synthesise vitamin D3 is a high-potential discovery. When combined with a compliant cleanroom environment, it can provide a strong foundation for achieving optimal product quality.”

This perspective not only highlights the importance of a unique biotech solution, but also clarifies the role of a tightly controlled environment in ensuring production quality.

Food cleanroom designed and constructed by Anh Khang Cleanroom

Why build a cleanroom for yellow mealworm production?

Ensuring hygiene and preventing cross-contamination
Insect-based products can be sensitive to microbial contamination; a cleanroom helps control food-safety quality.
Optimising the production process
Integrating yellow mealworm processing into a modern production line supports control of temperature, lighting, and environmental conditions—helping optimise biological outcomes such as vitamin D3 synthesis.
Meeting high safety standards
Nutraceutical production often requires GMP/ISO expectations; a cleanroom supports meeting those requirements.
Scalability and flexible adaptation
As products grow, a cleanroom allows capacity scaling and flexible design adjustments to respond quickly to market needs.

Conclusion

Building a dedicated cleanroom for production from the yellow mealworm is not only a progressive technical trend, but also a foundation for developing nutraceuticals that are natural, clean, and higher value.

From Anh Khang Cleanroom’s perspective, this is not only a technical direction, but also a sustainable development strategy for insect-based nutraceutical production.