The utilization of black soldier fly larvae meal as a substitution of fish meal in diet for white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, grow-out

Abstract

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal is an environmentally friendly protein source due to its bioconversion production in organic waste processing and has it has potential as an alternative protein source for shrimp diet. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the utilization of BSFL meal as a substitution for fish meal in diet on the growth performance of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. The tested treatment were inclusion levels of BSFL meal namely 0%, 7.5%, 15%, and 22.5% to substitute fish meal in diet. The feeding experiment conducted using 12 of 50 L aquaria, and each equipped with gentle aeration. The white shrimp juveniles with initial weight of 1.20 ± 0.07 g were stocked at a density of 10 shrimp to every aquarium. The test diets were given as much as 8-3% BW/day (decreasing based on shrimp weight development) for 49 cultivation days. The results showed no significant difference between treatments (P>0.05) on the specific growth rate, weight gain, survival rate, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio of white shrimp. In conclusion, the BSFL meal could be used up to the level of 22.5% to substitute fish meal in the diet for white shrimp grow-out.