Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal supplementation in chicken diets on the chemical composition and sensory quality of meat. The experiment was conducted on 120 Ross 308 male broilers from day 12 to day 38 of their age. Broilers were divided into three equal groups with 5 replicates per treatment. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 2% (TM2; n = 40) and 5% (TM5; n = 40), respectively of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) meal. The third group (TM0; n = 40) was control, receiving 0% of mealworms in diet. The addition of mealworm meal to diets in this trial do not worsen the chemical composition or sensory characteristics of the thigh meat of broilers. The control chickens had a higher live weight (P < 0.05) compared to the experimental groups at the end of the trial. The lowest live weight and feed intake was determined in group TM2 (P < 0.05). The highest feed intake (P < 0.05) was found in the control group. The breast meat from the control group was rated better (P < 0.05) in flavour compared to the groups receiving 2% and 5% of yellow mealworms. The primary requirement for the use of any ingredient in feed is that it does not adversely affect food safety and quality. In our study, the inclusion of 2% and 5% mealworm meal in the broiler’s diet had no influence on meat quality.
Highlights
By 2050, a 60–70% increase in the consumption of animal products is expected (Makkar et al 2014), correlating with the human population which is estimated to increase to 9 billion people
The chemical composition of the nutrient content of diets was determined for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and ash according to the Commission Regulation (EC) 152/2009
The broilers’ final live weight was higher (P < 0.05) in the control group compared to experimental group TM5 (Table 3)
Summary
By 2050, a 60–70% increase in the consumption of animal products is expected (Makkar et al 2014), correlating with the human population which is estimated to increase to 9 billion people. The crude protein content is approximately 46–60% DM (Ghaly and Alkoaik 2009; Makkar et al 2014). The content of methionine in mealworms depends on the substrate and ranges from 0.48% to 1.80% of crude protein. Insects offer many benefits in the nutritional value and the amino acid composition of their proteins, and generally meet animal requirements for good health, growth (Gasco et al 2020), and production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal supplementation in broiler’s diets (replacing a proportion of soybean meal) on the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of breast and thigh muscles
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