Abstract
Aim of study: To determine the effect of different dietary levels of silkworm pupae meal (SWPM) on the growth performance of broiler rabbits and the chemical composition of their meat.Area of study: Southern Poland, Europe.Material and methods: Ninety Termond White rabbits were divided into three feeding groups. Control group rabbits were fed a diet containing 10% soybean meal (SBM). In the first experimental group, rabbits received a diet containing 5% SBM and 5% SWPM. The diet administered to the second experimental group was supplemented with 10% SWPM.Main results: Both partial and complete replacement of SBM with SWPM in diets contributed to a decrease in the final body weights of rabbits (2416.50 and 2390.78 vs. 2616.78 g), average daily gains (30.23 and 30.52 vs. 33.12 g) and feed intake (5.61 and 5.15 vs. 6.51 kg), but it improved the feed conversion ratio (3.28 and 3.05 vs. 3.41 kg/kg). Rabbits fed diets supplemented with SWPM were characterized by lower values of selected carcass parameters such as carcass weight and dressing percentage. Experimental diets had no significant effect on the proximate chemical composition of meat, but they increased the levels of fatty acids C18:3, C22:5 and C22:6.Research highlights: The results of this study can be put into practice to replace conventional protein and fat sources in rabbit diets with insect meals (SWPM) in the production of rabbit meat for human consumption. Our findings can also contribute to the recycling of sericultural waste.
Highlights
Silkworm pupae, the by-product of sericulture, are produced in large quantities mostly in Asia where their disposal is a serious environmental problem
Experimental diets had no significant effect on the proximate chemical composition of meat, but they increased the levels of fatty acids C18:3, C22:5 and C22:6
Chitin contains nitrogen which apparently increases the levels of protein as well as total fiber and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in chemical analyses
Summary
The by-product of sericulture, are produced in large quantities mostly in Asia where their disposal is a serious environmental problem. Silkworm pupae meal (SWPM) can be a rich source of dietary protein for human consumption and livestock feed (Datta, 2007; Patil et al 2013). Silkworm pupae, which are dried and ground to produce meal, are considered to contain more than 50% protein with relatively high concentrations of nutritionally valuable amino acids such as lysine and methionine (Finke, 2002; Usub et al, 2008). The actual protein content of silkworm pupae is lower, and exceeds 70% of the analytically determined value due to the presence of chitin (3-4%). Chitin contains nitrogen which apparently increases the levels of protein as well as total fiber and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in chemical analyses. The fat content of SWPM is high, reaching up to 40%
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