Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) potencial in fish nutrition: a review

Joziane Soares De Lima,Matielle Linhares Pittaluga,Rodrigo Borille,Cátia Aline Veiverberg,Rafael Lazzari,Naglezi De Menezes Lovatto

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i16.23229

Joziane Soares De Lima, Matielle Linhares Pittaluga + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i16.23229

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Abstract

The creation of aquatic organisms it is constantly growing and with this comes the need to meet this demand with the increased production of inputs such as feed for aquaculture. Fish nutrition is mainly characterized by the use of fish meal and oil for the manufacture of rations for their food. Soybean bran is the second most used ingredient as a source of protein in the production of feed for aquaculture. However, these ingredients compete with other feed segments, increasing cost or reducing market availability. Therefore, alternative sources of protein must be studied and developed to meet this demand. In this sense, insects present themselves as sources of high quality protein, in addition to fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Although there is a problem with large-scale production to meet the demand of the feed market, the ease of breeding certain species of insects is capable of making this reality possible. Thus, insects can be a likely alternative protein source in fish feed, replacing conventional sources. This review aims to evaluate the inclusion of mealworm in the fish diet, in terms of performance and discuss the results obtained.

Highlights

The global production of aquatic organisms reached around 179 million tonnes in 2018, of which 82 million tonnes came from aquaculture production and these fish accounted for 54.3 million tonnes production
According to Ferreira et al (2013), the requirement of fish protein is prioritized in nutritional studies due to its high food cost, which represents more than 60% of food costs, since the price of feed is directly linked to protein content
Belforti et al (2015) observed that these two fatty acids were strongly decreased in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), fed with feed at increasing levels of replacement of fishmeal by mealworm meal (MWM)

Summary

Introduction

The global production of aquatic organisms reached around 179 million tonnes in 2018, of which 82 million tonnes came from aquaculture production and these fish accounted for 54.3 million tonnes production. Fluctuations in the value of the product and use by other animal species, especially swine and poultry, (Barone, 2017; United Soybean Board, 2019; Fraanje & Garnett, 2020), make the product competitive by increasing the price of feed. In this context, insects represent an innovative ingredient rich in high-quality proteins, as well as other beneficial nutrients such as fats, minerals and vitamins (Rumpold & Schlüter, 2013; FAO, 2013). The main highlight of Tenebrio molitor is in the larval stage, which has a high protein content (47 to 60% CP), presenting itself as a potential alternative protein source in animal feed (De Marco et al, 2015; Bovera et al 2016)

Biology and rearing of Tenebrio molitor

Use of mealworm in fish diets

Findings

Future Directions