Evaluation of carotenoid bioaccumulation in black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), and its influence on nutritional characteristics and antioxidant capacity.

The impact of dietary Black Soldier Fly larvae oil and meal on laying hen performance and egg quality

The present study investigated effects of dietary inclusion of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) meal and paste on gut health, plasma biochemical parameters, immune response and skin mucus proteome in pre-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The seven-week experiment consisted of seven experimental diets: a control diet based on fishmeal and plant protein (Control-1); three BSFL meal diets, substituting 6.25% (6.25IM), 12.5% (12.5IM) and 25% (25IM) of protein; two BSFL paste diets, substituting 3.7% (3.7IP) and 6.7% (6.7IP) of protein and an extra control diet with 0.88% of formic acid (Control-2). The 6.25IM diet reduced enterocyte steatosis in pyloric caeca, improved distal intestine histology, and reduced IgM in distal intestine. The fish fed 12.5IM diet reduced enterocyte steatosis in pyloric caeca, improved distal intestine histology, had a higher plasma lysozyme content compared to 6.25IM, and tend to increase phagocytic activity in head-kidney macrophages-like cells. On the other hand, 25IM diet improved distal intestine histology, but showed mild-moderate enterocyte steatosis in pyloric caeca, increased IFNγ and reduced IgM in distal intestine. In the case of BSFL paste diets, 3.7IP diet caused mild inflammatory changes in distal intestine, although it reduced enterocyte steatosis in pyloric caeca. The 6.7IP diet reduced enterocyte steatosis in pyloric caeca and improved distal intestine histology. Increasing level of BSFL meal in the diet linearly decreased plasma C-reactive protein, whereas increasing level of BSFL paste linearly increased plasma antioxidant capacity. Dietary inclusion of BSFL meal and paste had minor effects on the expression profile of proteins in skin mucus and no effects on immune markers in splenocytes. BSFL meal showed no negative effect on liver and muscle health as indicated by plasma alanine aminotranseferase, asparate aminotransferase and creatine kinase. The present study showed that replacing conventional protein sources with low to moderate levels of BSFL meal (6.25% and 12.5%) or paste (3.7% and 6.7%) reduced enterocyte steatosis in pyloric caeca, while replacing up to 25% with BSFL meal or 6.7% with paste improved distal intestine histology. Further, dietary inclusion of BSFL meal and paste had minor effects on skin mucus proteome and immune response in Atlantic salmon.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal-based pet food is gaining traction in Europe. In order to unlock the full potential of antimicrobial peptides and fatty acids present in BSFL meal, we evaluated the role of BSFL meal containing pet food in modulating the oral health of dogs. During this study eight female beagle dogs were fed with two iso-nutritive diets in a cross-over design with two periods of 50 days each. These diets were made using defatted BSFL meal or low ash poultry by product (PBP) meal as the main protein source. At the end of the first period, the animals underwent a wash out period of 7 days and the treatments were inverted following this treatment. Oral health of dogs was measured by: (1) count of colony forming unit of volatile sulfur producing bacterial (VSC) in dental plaque; (2) DNA extraction and amplification of 16S rRNA genes from saliva for bacterial profiling; and (3) oral malodor scoring. We found significant reduction of VSC () before and after 50 days of BSFL based pet food consumption. Oral malodor score was not significantly different before and after BSFL based pet food consumption. However, there was a strong tendency for malodor reduction related to BSFL fed groups (). Finally, there was a significant difference () between treatments in the relative abundance of Moraxella, with higher abundance in dog’s saliva when fed BSFL diets. This bacterial group is identified as a marker of oral health. In conclusion, the consumption of BSFL meal-based diets has strong potential to decrease VSC and positively modulates the saliva microbiota, which can suppress the occurrence of halitosis and improve oral health.

Evaluation of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal as partial or total replacement of marine fish meal in practical diets for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae meal in broiler chicken diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and cecal microbiota. 300 unsexed Arbor Acres chicks were divided into two treatment groups, each with six replicates of 25 chicks. The experimental group was fed a diet in which soybean meal was partially substituted with 5% BSF larvae meal during the starter phase (1–14 days) and 10% during the grower phase (15–28 days). The finisher period is a BSF-free diet. Results showed no significant difference in growth performance between the experimental and control groups, except for a higher average weight in the second week (P=0.016). A significant difference was observed in the yield of hot eviscerated carcasses (P=0.001), while no significant differences were found in meat quality parameters, including pH, myoglobin, water-holding capacity, cooking loss, chemical composition (dry matter, ash, and ether extract), and bacterial counts such as total aerobic mesophilic flora, Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli. The inclusion of BSF larvae meal reduced harmful bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and increased beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp., in the chicken’s cecal microbiota. These findings suggest that BSF larvae provide health benefits in meal forms, supporting their potential as a viable and sustainable alternative protein source to partially replace soybean meal in broiler diets.

1. Two experiments were conducted to determine the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and standardised amino acid digestibility coefficients (SIDC) of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) for broiler chickens. 2. The BSFL contained, on a g/kg dry matter basis: crude protein, 486; crude fat, 320; ash, 58.5; neutral detergent fibre, 181; calcium, 6.8 and phosphorus, 9.1. 3. In Experiment 1, an AME assay was performed wherein broilers were fed two experimental diets (a maize-soy basal diet and a test diet containing 250 g/kg BSFL) for 4 d from d 18 posthatch. The AME of BSFL was calculated based on the difference between the AME values of basal and test diets. The AME and nitrogen-corrected AME were determined to be 19.1and 18.0 MJ/kg of dry matter, respectively. 4. In Experiment 2, the ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of BSFL was determined using 22-d-old broilers by the direct method and the digesta was collected on d 25. The ratios between the AA and titanium in the diet and digesta were used to calculate the apparent digestibility and then standardised using previously published endogenous losses to estimate the SIDC of AA. The SIDC of Lys, Met, Thr, Val and average SIDC of AA in our BSFL sample were 0.85, 0.90, 0.91, 0.87 and 0.84, respectively. 5. The findings showed that the BSFL meal is a good source of available energy and digestible AA, and could be a potential substitute for soybean meal in broiler diets.

Simple SummaryInsects which can be reared artificially, such as the black soldier fly, housefly or yellow mealworm are considered as promising feed sources for sustainable aquaculture. The present study is the first to reveal the potential of diets containing insect meal for juvenile yellowtail. The growth of fish fed diets in which fish meal was replaced by 10–30% partially defatted black soldier fly larvae meal was decreased in accordance with the content of the larvae meal. On the other hand, growth of fish with a diet including 20% completely defatted larvae meal was equivalent to that with a diet of the partially defatted larvae meal. Thus, the fat fraction of black solider fly larvae could cause growth retardation of yellowtail, and the defatting process of the insect meal may be important in the manufacture of black soldier fly larvae meal for yellowtail.Against a background of increased demand for fish meal (FM), black soldier fly larva is a promising alternative feed source for sustainable aquaculture. Yellowtail, the most popular farmed fish in Japan, is a carnivorous fish; therefore, it requires a high proportion of FM in its diet. This study represents the first example of yellowtail fed on a diet including insect meal as a replacement for FM. Partially defatted black soldier fly meal (PDBM) comprised 49.0% crude protein and 23.2% crude fat, while completely defatted black soldier fly meal (CDBM) contained less than 10% crude fat, as the same level as FM was achieved with defatting PDBM using hexane. In feeding trials, growth of the fish was reduced in accordance with PDBM content: 10%, 20%, and 30% in their diet. Although a diet including 8% CDBM (with the same protein composition as 10% PDBM) also resulted in decreased fish growth, growth with a diet including 16% CDBM (with the same protein composition as 20% PDBM) was significantly higher than that of 20% PDBM, and equivalent to that of 10% PDBM. Therefore, even 10% of partially or completely black soldier fly larvae meal in diets inhibited growth in juvenile yellowtail, and we found that removal of the fat fraction could improve fish growth.

Aquaculture has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing food sub-sectors, providing quality protein to better the livelihoods of rural communities alongside curbing malnutrition and food security globally. Nonetheless, the industry’s sustainability has been threatened by the high cost of fish feeds, which account for approximately 60–70% of the total operational costs. Fish meal (FM) has been extensively utilised as the main source of protein in the diets of farmed finfishes. However, due to declining capture fisheries and competing uses from other animal feed producers, the ingredient has become a scarce resource with limited availability and high prices. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have been identified as a promising alternative protein source in fish feeds. BSFL are documented to have high nutritional content: crude protein (of up to 64% dry matter), essential amino acids, fatty acids, and other micro-nutrients which are vital for the growth of fish. BSFL meal has the potential success of replacing FM in the diets of various fish species. This chapter focuses on analysing recent research work in BSFL proximate and chemical composition, its current utilisation in fish feeds and gaps to be filled in its complete utilisation as an ingredient in commercial feed production. This information is expected to help both cottage and commercial fish feed producers utilise BSFL in feed production in Kenya and further will promote the sustainability of the aquaculture industry.

The use of insects in animal feed appears to be an efficient approach that contributes to solving the environmental issues related to leftover disposal; however, it has not been approved in some countries due to concerns about pathogenic infections. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of long-term substitution of fish meal in poultry feed with organic defatted black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal prepared from BSFL raised on leftovers. The 87 Julia laying hens (178-day-old) were allotted in a completely randomized design with three treatments (29 layers in each treatment). The laying hens were fed maize grain and soybean meal-based diet containing either 3% fish meal, 1.5% fish meal and 1.5% BSFL meal, or 3% BSFL meal supplements for 52 wk (541-day-old). Results showed that substituting fish meal with BSFL meal had no effect on the laying rate, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of laying hens, and only the complete replacement (3% BSFL meal) significantly increased the body weight of laying hens. In terms of egg quality, there was no significant effect on eggshell parameters (weight, thickness, and strength), albumen weight, yolk height, yolk color, and Haugh unit. However, both half (1.5% fish meal and 1.5% BSFL meal) and complete substitution of fish meal increased yolk weight (P < 0.01) and egg weight (P < 0.05). In conclusion, even if BSFL were fed leftovers and the meal was defatted with organic solvents, it can be used as a poultry feed ingredient without any adverse effect. Moreover, the complete substitution of fish meal with BSFL meal may be a feasible way to effectively contribute to the laying hens’ performances and poultry farming costs. In addition to fish meal, the replacement of soybean meal with BSFL meal may also needs to be further studied for the extensive BSFL meal application in poultry feed.

Assessing the performance, egg quality, serum analysis, heavy metals and essential trace metals accumulation in laying hen eggs and tissues fed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal

Owing to an increasing world population and a rising demand in protein for food and feed, alternative protein sources are needed. In addition, existing food and protein supplies such as wild and farmed fish need to be secured. Insects and more specifically the black soldier fly (BSF;Hermetia illucens) larvae, are discussed as an alternative animal protein source and a potential fish meal (FM) replacer in aquaculture. They can be sustainably reared on biogenic residues. In a literature study, the technical potential of occurring biogenic residues in Germany for the production of BSF larvae is estimated and their suitability as a FM replacement in aquafeed for the production of rainbow trout is evaluated. According to literature, up to 50% of FM can be substituted by BSF larvae meal in the feed of rainbow trout. For the annual German rainbow trout production of 8,466 t, 2,699 t BSF larvae meal (40.7% protein d.m.) is required to replace 1,556 t FM (70.9% protein d.m.). The demand for biogenic residues to feed the BSF larvae amounts to 22,942 t (d.m.). A large amount of biogenic residues occurring in Germany, such as forestry residues, animal excrements, straw and the biogenic fraction of municipal waste, have too poor nutrient contents or are inapplicable due to legal restrictions as feed for farmed animals. However, an alternative utilisation of approximately 1.26 Mt (d.m.) of biogenic industrial residues by far exceeds the demand for BSF larvae feed. Further investigations are needed on the environmental impact and profitability of using biogenic residues for BSF larvae production and competing utilisation pathways as well as of using resulting BSF larvae meal as FM replacement in feed for rainbow trout. Graphical abstract – Annual technical potential of a biogenic residue-based production of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae as aquafeed for farmed rainbow trout in Germany (M = million, based on dry weight unless indicated otherwise).

Full-fat black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal and paste in extruded diets for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Effect on physical pellet quality, nutrient digestibility, nutrient utilization and growth performances

Effects of partial or complete replacement of soybean meal with commercial black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal on growth performance, cecal short chain fatty acids, and excreta metabolome of broiler chickens

Background: Aquaculture increasingly seeks sustainable alternatives to fishmeal, a key protein source in fish diets. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) meal is a promising substitute, but its effects on fish growth, immunity, and gut health need further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of varying BSFL inclusion levels on juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂), a widely farmed species in tropical aquaculture. Methods: Juvenile hybrid grouper were fed diets with four levels of BSFL substitution (0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%) over 56 days. Key metrics such as growth performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, and gut transcriptome were analyzed. Results: Replacing fish meal with BSFL meal had no significant effect on the survival rate of hybrid grouper (p &gt; 0.05) but significantly affected growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity (p &lt; 0.05). BSFL10 and BSFL30 groups showed good growth and elevated immune enzyme activity, with significantly higher HIS levels (p &lt; 0.05); the Wf of the BSFL10 group was comparable to the control. However, excessive replacement (BSFL50) led to reduced growth (Wf significantly lower, p &lt; 0.05) and increased oxidative stress, as indicated by higher CAT activity (p &lt; 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of immune- and metabolism-related genes with increasing BSFL levels, with immune pathways notably activated in the BSFL50 group. Conclusions: BSFL meal is a promising alternative to fishmeal in juvenile hybrid grouper diets, with moderate inclusion (10–30%) being most beneficial. Excessive BSFL substitution (50%) may impair fish health, highlighting the need for careful formulation in aquaculture diets.

In response to increasing public concerns and retailer demands, the broiler production industry and legislative authorities are looking for measures to improve broiler welfare. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae could be used in broiler diets as these insects contain bioactive compounds that may improve broiler health. The underlying pathways of these bioactive compounds to support broiler health are not fully understood yet. However, experimental evidence indicates that BSF larvae as part of laying hen diets can lead to improved disease resistance and immune response in those chickens, based on improved blood biochemical profiles. Moreover, BSF larvae may trigger natural behaviour through visual cues, potentially stimulating natural foraging behaviour and pecking towards larvae. BSF larvae products (live and processed), varying in physical and nutritional properties, may affect broiler health and welfare differently based on product choice and inclusion level (low and high). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether BSF larvae products as part of slow-growing broiler (Hubbard JA757) diets or rations can contribute to better health and welfare. Therefore, the following BSF larvae products were tested at two inclusion levels: live larvae (L), a combination of BSF larvae meal and fat (MO) mimicking the nutritional composition of the live larvae, and BSF larvae meal (M) and fat (O) separately. Each treatment group was replicated 8 times with 24 broilers per replicate. The experimental diets were provided to the 1-day-old chickens until 51days of age. The health of the broilers was quantified based on blood biochemical parameters and weight and length of intestinal organs, while the welfare of the broilers was quantified based on physical welfare scores, behavioural observations, and activity tracking. Feeding live BSF larvae to broilers affected their behaviour, leading to broilers showing more eating, locomotion, and active behaviour, while showing less resting and foraging behaviour compared to broilers receiving only compound feed with or without processed BSF larvae products. Biochemical blood parameters and dimensions of intestinal organs did not differ between the control group and treatment groups containing BSF larvae products. Based on our results, the insect product form, feeding live larvae rather than processed larvae, seems to stimulate eating and active behaviour in broilers, while inclusion level seems to play a less important role. We therefore recommend to use low quantities of live BSF larvae in broiler diets to improve activity in modern broiler production systems.