Antioxidant Status and Liver Function of Young Turkeys Receiving a Diet with Full-Fat Insect Meal from Hermetia illucens.

Krzysztof Kozłowski,Zenon Zduńczyk,Piotr Listos,Damian Józefiak,Jan Jankowski,Anna Stępniowska,Katarzyna Ognik

doi:10.3390/ani10081339

Abstract

Simple SummaryInsects can be used as an alternative source of protein and fat in poultry feed. To date, in most research, the administration of invertebrates as a replacement for soybean meal in chicken diets has produced satisfactory results. We hypothesized that full-fat insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae can also be an acceptable source of protein and energy in the diet of young turkeys, and at the same time can improve their antioxidant status and metabolism. Our research showed that the level of HI meal in the diet of turkeys should not exceed 5%. The use of a higher level of HI than 5% in the diet of young turkeys has a negative effect on lipid metabolism, lipid oxidation and fat deposition in the liver.We hypothesized that full-fat insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae can be an acceptable source of protein and energy in the diet of young turkeys, in an amount adapted to the nutritional needs of these birds, and at the same time can improve their antioxidant status and metabolism. The turkeys were fed a control diet (HI0) without the insect meal, and three diets with increasing HI content of 5%, 10% and 15% (treatments HI5, HI10 and HI15, respectively). The use of 10% or 15% HI in the diet of young turkeys, while beneficially raising levels of P, Fe and Hb, has a negative effect on lipid metabolism, increasing TC levels, lipid oxidation, and fat deposition in the liver. The inclusion of 5% HI in the diet of young turkeys has no adverse effect on the lipid status and histology of the liver, but it does not improve antioxidant status. To conclude, the level of HI meal in the diet of turkeys should not exceed 5%. However, as similar studies on turkeys have not yet been published, overly general conclusions should not be drawn from the results of the present study, and further research is necessary.

Highlights

Numerous studies have been undertaken in recent years to determine the possibility of using meal or oil from insect larvae in the diet of poultry [1,2,3]
Data published by Dossey et al [4] indicate that less than 1 tonne of soy protein per year can be produced from 1 ha of arable land, while up to 150 tonnes of insect protein can be produced from the same area
We hypothesized that full-fat insect meal from Hermetia illucens larvae can be an acceptable source of protein and energy in the diet of young turkeys, in an amount adapted to the nutritional needs of these birds, and at the same time can improve their antioxidant status and metabolism

Summary

Introduction

Numerous studies have been undertaken in recent years to determine the possibility of using meal or oil from insect larvae in the diet of poultry [1,2,3]. Animals 2020, 10, 1339 diets of birds could reduce the negative impact of poultry production on the environment. The authors point out that the production of feed from insects requires a significantly smaller soil surface area, and less water, than the plants conventionally used as protein sources. Data published by Dossey et al [4] indicate that less than 1 tonne of soy protein per year can be produced from 1 ha of arable land, while up to 150 tonnes of insect protein can be produced from the same area. Insect larvae can be used as a waste bioreactor [5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion