Hermetia Illucens Larvae Meal Research Articles

Apparent total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus from partially defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal in pigs

Abstract Insect meals, which have emerged as a sustainable protein source in animal nutrition, are also rich in calcium and phosphorus and thus might be a valuable source for supplying these minerals in farm animals. The aim of the present study was to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of these minerals from commercially available partially defatted meals of Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae in growing pigs. According to a difference approach, twenty male growing pigs with an average body weight of around 30 kg were divided into five groups of four pigs each and fed either a basal diet or the basal diet blended with one of three HI meals or monocalcium phosphate (MCP, as a positive control) for 14 days. Calcium and phosphorus ATTD were determined, by using the indicator method with acid-insoluble ash as an indigestible marker. Calcium ATTD on average of the three HI meals was 71.2%, ranging from 60.7% to 77.0%, and the ATTD of phosphorus was 80.6%, with a range of 70.8% to 88.9%. Calcium and phosphorus ATTD of MCP were 95.0% and 82.8%, respectively. The study shows that calcium and phosphorus from HI meals exhibit a relatively high ATTD in pigs, similar to that observed from inorganic mineral sources. Thus, HI meal could substantially contribute to the supply of calcium and phosphorus to pigs, thus opening the possibility to conserve scarce minerals resources such as phosphate-rich rocks for pig nutrition.

Gamma ray irradiation enhances defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal as a dietary alternative to fishmeal for Acanthopagrus schlegelii juveniles

The current research investigated whether gamma (γ)-irradiation could improve the viability of defatted Hermetia illucens larvae (HIL) meal as a fishmeal alternative in black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) diets. Three diets were formulated with equal protein (420 g/kg) and lipid (80 g/kg) contents. A diet containing 400 g/kg fishmeal was served as the control diet (C), and 50% of fishmeal in diet C was replaced by either defatted HIL meal or γ-irradiated defatted HIL meal to produce diet HR and diet HR10, respectively. Fish fed diet HR exhibited lower final body weight and weight gain compared to those fed diet C, while no statistically significant differences were found between fish fed diets C and HR10. Additionally, fish fed diet HR10 exhibited significantly lower feed intake, feed conversion rate, nitrogen waste, hepatic malondialdehyde content, relative usage of fishmeal and fish oil, fish-in to fish-out ratio, and economic conversion ratio, and meanwhile significantly higher nitrogen retention efficiency, hepatic total antioxidant capacity, economic profitability index and profitability, than those fed diet C. Fish fed different test diets showed statistically equal alpha diversity of intestinal microbiota, whereas the beta diversity of intestinal microbiota in group HR was far from groups C and HR10. Compared to fish fed diet C, the gut microbiota composition of fish fed diet HR showed significant alterations at both the phylum and genus levels. However, the altered composition of intestinal bacteria was partially restored in fish fed diet HR10. The above findings indicate that treating defatted HIL meal with γ-ray can reduce dietary fishmeal content for black sea bream to 200 g/kg without any adverse effects on growth, proximate composition and intestinal microbial diversity, and meanwhile ameliorates the feed utilization, hepatic antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiological composition of black sea bream. Furthermore, feeding γ-irradiated defatted HIL meal enhances the economic profitability, while reduces the waste output and reliance on fishery resource of black sea bream aquaculture.

Hermetia illucens Larvae Meal as Partial Fishmeal Replacement in Jade Perch Diet Cultured in Biofloc: Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and Consumer Acceptance

A 12-week feeding trial on jade perch (Scortum barcoo) was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of partial substitution of fishmeal with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in a biofloc system that requires minimal water exchange. The jade perch juveniles were subjected to three dietary treatments namely the 100% fishmeal (FM100), 50% BSFLM (BSF50), and a commercial diet (COM) with 20 individuals per treatment in triplicate tanks. Growth, feed efficiency, and body indices were measured throughout the feeding trial. There were no significant differences observed between the treatments in growth indicators such as the body weight gain (84.55 - 89.10 g), feed conversion ratio (1.77 - 1.87), specific growth rate (1.71 - 1.81 %/day), protein efficiency ratio (1.69 - 1.77), survival rate (90.00 - 98.48 %) and fillet yield (34.94 - 37.08 %). The condition factor is similar in all treatment groups ranging from 1.97 - 2.05. The crude protein and moisture content making up fish body composition are not statistically different among treatments, but higher crude lipids are obtained in the BSF50 (32.33 ± 5.27 g/kg) and COM (31.67 ± 2.76 g/kg). Higher hepatosomatic index (HSI) and visceral fat somatic index (VFSI) values were observed in BSF50 group at 3.13 ± 0.25 and 10.89 ± 1.68, respectively. Furthermore, sensory evaluation comparing the consumers' evaluation and acceptance of the fish cultured with the different dietary treatment and culture system shows that the group fed BSF50 and cultured in biofloc system received similar overall appreciation with the FM100 and COM group. In conclusion, BSFLM inclusion in the jade perch diet, combined with the biofloc system, is feasible to be explored further.

Effect of replacing soybean meal with Hermetia illucens meal on cecal microbiota, liver transcriptome, and plasma metabolome of broilers

Despite the existence of a number of studies investigating the effect of insect meal on the growth performance of broilers, knowledge about the metabolic effects of insect meal in broilers is still scarce. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of partial replacement of soybean meal with Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal on the liver transcriptome, the plasma metabolome and the cecal microbiota in broilers. For the study, 72 male one-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were divided into three groups and fed three different diets with either 0% (HI0), 7.5% (HI7.5) or 15% (HI15) defatted HI meal for 35 d. Each group consisted of 6 cages (replicates) with 4 broilers/cage. While body weight (BW) gain, feed intake, and feed:gain ratio did not differ between groups, breast muscle weight, carcass yield and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of 5 amino acids were higher in group HI15 than in group HI0 (P < 0.05). Indicators of α-diversity (Chao1 and Observed) in the cecal digesta were higher in groups HI15 and HI7.5 than in group HI0 (P < 0.05). The abundance of 5 families and 18 genera, all of which belonged to the Firmicutes phylum, in the cecal digesta differed among groups (P < 0.05). Concentrations of butyric acid, valeric acid and isobutyric acid in the cecal digesta were lower in group HI15 than in the other two groups (P < 0.05), whereas those of total and other short-chain fatty acids were not different between groups. Liver transcriptomics revealed a total of 70 and 61 differentially expressed transcripts between groups HI15 vs. HI0 and between groups HI7.5 vs HI0, respectively, (P < 0.05). Targeted metabolomics identified 138 metabolites, most of which were triglyceride species, being different between the three groups (FDR < 0.05). According to this study, dietary inclusion of HI larvae meal has no detrimental impact but increases breast muscle weight and carcass weight in broilers suggesting that HI larvae meal can be recommended as a sustainable alternative protein source for broilers.

Use of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal in diets for gilthead seabream juveniles: Effects on growth-related gene expression, intermediary metabolism, digestive enzymes, and gut microbiota modulation

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HM) on the expression of growth-related genes, plasma metabolites, activity of intermediary metabolism enzymes, and gut microbiota modulation in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles. Four experimental diets were formulated (43% crude protein, 18% crude lipids) with increasing levels of defatted HM: 0 (HM0), 15 (HM15), 30 (HM30), and 45% (HM45) replacing fishmeal (included at 34% in the control diet) at 0, 22, 60, and 100%, respectively. Fish were fed these diets for 67 days. At the end of the trial, the expression of muscle growth hormone receptors (ghr1 and ghr2), insulin-like growth factors (igf1 and igf2), cathepsins (cts-a and cts-b), and myogenic determination factor 1 (myod1) were not affected, while a downregulation of myogenic determination factor 2 (myod2) and upregulation of myostatin (mstn) was observed with HM inclusion. Plasma metabolites profile was unaffected by diet composition, except for a linear decrease trend in total lipids. A linear increase of liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity and a linear decrease of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malic enzyme (ME), and (FAS) activity were observed with HM inclusion. The activity of β-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) followed a quadratic trend, being higher in fish fed with diet HM15 than in the control. Likewise, amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin activity were higher in the posterior intestine of fish fed with diet HM15. Digesta of fish fed the HM-containing diets showed an increase in the number of operational taxonomic units, microbial richness, and diversity. Conversely, a reduction in these indexes was observed in the mucosa. Among the identified bacteria, Firmicutes represented the predominant phyla. The inclusion of HM increased the abundance of Oceanobacillus, Lederbergia, Bacillus, and Corynebacterium in the digesta while Lactobacillus and Caldalkalibacillus abundance was reduced. Overall, total FM replacement with defatted HM had no major effects on plasma metabolites and muscle growth-related genes but induced a few differences in intermediary metabolism and digestive enzymes activity. HM inclusion improved gut digesta microbiota richness and diversity, promoting the growth of potential beneficial bacteria.

Novel chitinolytic Bacillus spp. increase feed efficiency, feed digestibility, and survivability to Vibrio anguillarum in European seabass fed with diets containing Hermetia illucens larvae meal

Insect meals (IM) are being pointed out as a promising sustainable protein source. However, chitin in IM may negatively interfere with fish performance and nutrient availability. Given that carnivorous fish have a low or inexistent ability to digest chitin, novel strategies are needed to overcome chitin-imposed bottlenecks. Carbohydrolytic sporeforming probiotics offer a competitive industrial approach, being able to resist the harsh feed manufacturing process, transport, storage, and animal's gastrointestinal tract, while being able to increase the digestibility of otherwise indigestible components. Aiming to increase IM chitin digestibility, two chitinolytic sporeforming fish isolates (Fish isolates 645 (FI645) and 658 (FI658)), closely related to Bacillus licheniformis, were isolated from European sea bass (ESB) gastrointestinal tract, and incorporated (individually or as a mixture) in ESB diets with high defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HM) levels (30% inclusion). FI were evaluated regarding their effects on ESB growth performance and digestibility. The spores were able to maintain their viability throughout the 180 days of diet storage at room temperature. Dietary inclusion of FI645 led to higher chitin digestibility. Concomitantly, the digestibility of dry matter, protein, and energy increased, overall leading to higher feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio. Dietary inclusion of FI645 led to increased plasma N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) levels. This is the first evidence for diet-mediated modulation of plasma GlcNAc concentrations. Dietary inclusion of FI645 also increased the expressions of the genes coding for N-acetylglucosamine kinase (nagk) and GlcNAc phosphomutase (pgm3), key enzymes from the GlcNAc salvage pathway and the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP). On the other hand, no differences were found for the expression of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-6-phosphate deacetylase (amdhd2), a precursor enzyme for GlcNAc redirection to glycolysis. These results hint that free GlcNAc resulting from increased chitin digestibility might be preferentially redirected to protein O-GlcNAcylation processes through HBP in fish cells. Additionally, when challenged with Vibrio anguillarum, and after being feed for one month with the same diets, D645 also increased ESB survival from 52.5% to 77.5%, when compared to the control. Together, these results establish the potential of using FI645 as a probiotic for enhancing chitin digestion and acting as a prophylactic agent for ESB protection against V. anguillarum infection. This strategy opens novel possibilities for using commodities, including high chitin levels in aquafeeds, and reducing the use of antibiotics in aquaculture.

Hermetia illucens larvae meal as an alternative protein source in practical diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata): A study on growth, plasma biochemistry and gut microbiota

The effects of dietary Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal on growth, plasma biochemistry and gut microbiota was tested in gilthead sea bream. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic extruded diets (50% protein; 14% lipid) with different levels of HI larva meal (0% CTRL, 5% HI5, 10% HI10, and 15% HI15) in partial substitution to fish meal (FM) were administered to triplicate fish groups over 113 days. Diets were designed to partially replace FM, using FM level for practical application. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in terms of final body weight, specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI), feed conversion rate (FCR) as well as feed efficiency parameters such as protein efficiency ratio (PER), gross protein efficiency (GPE), gross lipid efficiency (GLE). At the end of the trial there were not significant differences on growth, feed intake, feed conversion rate and protein efficiency. Among over 20 plasma parameters analyzed, HI inclusion level reduced iron (Fe), potassium (K), creatinine (CREA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The reduction of AST, ALT and ALP might suggest a potential beneficial role of HI for liver integrity and functionality. Concerning gut microbiome (GM) layout, HI was able to induce a shift in the GM structure at any inclusion level considered compared to the control diet increasing the abundance of Bacillaceae (mainly Bacillus and Oceanobacillus) and Paenibacillaceae (Paenibacillus). Taxa that can be involved in chitin degradation and has been recently recognized as novel probiotics for aquaculture. In conclusion, the results of feed intake, growth, feed utilization and plasma biochemistry indicate that HI larvae meal can be successfully incorporated up to 15% in practical aquafeed diets to partially replace FM without any negative effects on growth and feed efficiency. Beyond being a valid alternative protein source for fish meal replacement in this species, it displays gut health functional properties already at low inclusion level.

Effect of different inclusion levels of defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal on fillet quality of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Abstract In recent years, insect meal has attracted increasing interest as an innovative protein source to replace fish meal in feed formulation due to its valuable nutritional profile. This research aimed to compare the effects of different dietary inclusion levels (5, 10, and 15%) of Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal on Sparus aurata (initial weight: 98.6 ± 0.6 g) sensorial, technological, and nutritional fillets quality. Fish were fed experimental diets over 113 days. Results showed that the inclusion of defatted HI larvae meal did not induce off-flavours in gilthead sea bream fillets. No significant differences were found in appearance, mouthfeels, and texture, while a difference emerged in the trait ‘cooked chicken breast’ for odour and flavour characteristics. Moreover, fillets’ quality traits and proximate composition analyses performed did not show significant differences between the treatments. The fillets’ fatty acid content showed that higher inclusion of HI meal leads to higher saturated fatty acids content, while no significant difference in polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed among treatments. Results have a positive implication as dietary HI did not negatively affect the fatty acids composition or quality of sea bream fillets.

O86 (not presented) Productive indexes of the herbivore Cavia porcellus fed with Hermetia illucens larvae meal

O86 (not presented) Productive indexes of the herbivore Cavia porcellus fed with Hermetia illucens larvae meal

The impact of full-fat Hermetia illucens larvae meal on the health and immune system function of broiler chickens.

Alternative protein sources have recently been attracting growing interest as potential components of livestock nutrition. This study evaluated the effect on broiler health of replacing the soybean protein component of poultry feed with processed insect protein from farmed Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae. A total of 384 male broiler chicks were divided into four diet groups (eight pens/treatment and 12 birds/pen) and reared to the 42nd day of life (dol). Each treatment group received a starter diet until the 14th dol, then a grower diet until the 35th and finally a finisher diet until the 42nd. The soybean meal in standard diets was replaced with full-fat HI larvae meal in the following amounts: 0% for the control group HI-0, 50% for group HI-50, 75% for group HI-75, and 100% for group HI-100. At 1 dol, chicks were vaccinated against Marek's disease, coccidiosis, Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis and at 7 dol against avian metapneumovirus infections using live-attenuated vaccines. Blood and spleen samples were collected at three and six weeks of age and analysed using ELISA, flow cytometry, haematology and biochemistry. On the 42nd dol, as the content of larvae meal in the chickens' diets increased, the birds' body weights decreased significantly. The substitution of the protein source had no effect on the haematological markers. In chicks that received larvae meal, there was a decrease in creatine kinase activity and phosphorus levels and an increase in calcium and uric acid levels in serum. Raising the proportion of full-fat HI larvae meal in the diet raised the percentage of T CD3+CD8a+ cells and lowered that of T CD3+CD4+ cells in both sample types. Chickens fed larvae meal had significantly lower post-vaccination anti-infectious bronchitis virus antibody titres. The poorer production results and impaired health in experimental birds may indicate lower than 50% protein substitution with full-fat HI larvae meal to be optimal.

Effects of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens Larvae) Meal on the Production Performance and Cecal Microbiota of Hens.

The effects of Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HILM) as a feed supplement on production performance and cecal microflora were studied in 900 Hy-line Brown laying hens. Laying hens (60 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups. Each group had five replicates, and each replicate had 45 hens. The control group was fed with a corn-soybean-based diet, and the experimental groups were fed with 1% HILM, 2% HILM, or 3% HILM. Results were as follows: (1) With the increase in HILM level, the laying rate increased linearly (p ≤ 0.05), and the feed/egg and cracked-egg rate decreased linearly (p ≤ 0.05). (2) Community composition analysis showed that the dominant bacteria in each group were Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, which accounted for more than 97% of 16S rRNA gene sequence of the total cecal bacteria. (3) Alpha diversity analysis at the operational taxonomic unit classification level showed that the HILM-addition groups had higher community richness and community diversity than the control group. (4) Principal co-ordinates analysis showed that the cecum samples in each group were significantly separated (p ≤ 0.05). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in the HILM addition groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.001), and the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the HILM addition groups was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, dietary HILM supplementation had a significant effect on the production performance and cecal microflora of laying hens at the late laying period under the conditions of this experiment but had no adverse effect on the intestinal dominant flora.

Defatted Black Soldier Fly Meal in Diet for Grow-Out Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata L. 1758): Effects on Growth Performance, Gill Cortisol Level, Digestive Enzyme Activities, and Intestinal Histological Structure

A trial was performed to study the effects of a partially defatted Hermetia illucens (L. 1758) larvae meal (HIM) to replace a fish meal in the diet of an adult gilthead sea bream. The fish were fed for 120 days with diets containing HIM: 0% (CTRL), 25 (HI25), 50 (HI50), and 75% (HI75), corresponding to inclusion levels of 0, 9.2, 18.4, and 27.6%. A digestibility trial was carried out to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC). Growth performance, morphometric and biometric indexes, gill cortisol, status of gut mucosa, and the gut enzymes’ (alkaline proteases, lipase, and amylase) activity were evaluated. Morphometric and biometric indexes, digestibility, gill cortisol, and gut enzymes were not affected by the diet. Conversely, the 27.6% HI inclusion level worsened the specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Histology showed no significant differences between CTRL and HI25 groups. Conversely, in many of HI50 and HI75 fish, anatomo-functional changes in the gut were observed. No statistical differences were found among diets for ADC of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and gross energy. The results showed that defatted HIM can be used as an alternative protein source up to 18.4% of the inclusion level without impacting the growth performance, gill cortisol, morphometric and biometric indexes, ADCs, and gut enzymes.

Hermetia illucens for Replacing Fishmeal in Aquafeeds: Effects on Fish Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Gene Expression in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model

For improving aquafeed sustainability, insect meal is currently considered the most promising alternative to fishmeal. However, in this regard, more data are still necessary to avoid possible negative impacts on fish growth performance, metabolism, and welfare. The present study investigated the effects of increasing the inclusion of Hermetia illucens meal (0%, 17%, 33% and 50% of the feed, equating to 0%, 34%, 66% and 100% fishmeal replacement) on fish mortality, growth performance, intestine morphology, and gene expression of intestinal carriers. The results showed no adverse effects on fish mortality, feed intake and body weight and a positive effect on feed conversion ratio. Body weight gain was higher when 17% and 50% of Black soldier fly meals’ feed included (34% and 100% fishmeal replacement, respectively). Gut morphology was not affected by the dietary treatments except for the area of PAS-positive goblet cells that was higher in the treatment fed 33% of insect meal. The mRNA expression of intestinal epithelium functionality-specific marker genes, such as slc15a1 (alias pept1, alias slc15a1b), gata4 and nfkb1b, confirmed that the insect meal-based diets might replace fishmeal-based diets without negative effects. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that using Hermetia illucens larvae meal as a replacement for fishmeal in aquafeeds might help to enhance sustainability while assuring favorable fish growth performance and gut health.

Dietary fishmeal replacement with Hermetia illucens (Black soldier fly, BSF) larvae meal affected production performance, whole body composition, antioxidant status, and health of snakehead (Channa striata) juveniles

Due to the market instability and increasing demand and prices of fishmeal, the aquafeed industry must seek alternative protein feedstuffs to keep producing aquafeeds in a sustainable and cost-effective way. Hermetia illucens (BSF) larvae meal is considered sustainable since its production recycles organic waste streams into a valuable nutrient. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of dietary fish meal (FM) replacement with Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HIM) on the production performance of snakehead (Channa striata) juveniles. Five isoproteic (420 g Kg−1) and isocaloric (19.5 MJ kg−1 diet) experimental diets were designed by replacing FM at 0% (control diet), 25% (HIM25), 50% (HIM50), 75% (HIM75), and 100% (HIM100) with HIM. Four hundred and fifty juveniles (16.36 ± 0.09 g fish−1) were randomly assigned to 15 tanks (400 litres; 30 fish tank−1) and fed respective diets twice daily until apparent satiety for 9 weeks. The weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) showed a linear decrease with increasing dietary HIM (P < 0.05), and no significant effect in fish fed control, HIM25, and HIM50 diets. Whole body proximate composition and organ somatic indices were unaffected (P > 0.05). Whole-body C12, C14, saturated fatty acid (SFA), and SFA: PUFA ratios increased linearly with increasing FM replacement whereas polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n3/n6 fatty acid ratios decreased linearly (P < 0.05). Dietary HIM had a significant effect on protease activity (P < 0.05), but had no effect on lipase and amylase activity (P > 0.05). With increasing levels of dietary HIM, the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter linearly decreased, and the ADC of crude protein showed significant linear and quadratic decrease, but the ADC of crude lipid was unaffected (P > 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) were unaffected by HIM levels (P > 0.05). Fish fed HIM incorporated diets had higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities than fish fed a control diet, with a linear and quadratic effect (P < 0.05). The liver glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was unaffected (P > 0.05), whereas plasma GPx increased linearly and quadratically as dietary HIM levels increased (P < 0.05). Malonaldehyde (MDA) levels in liver and plasma remained unchanged among all the groups (P > 0.05). The dietary HIM did not affect the blood biochemistry (NBT, glucose, Hb, RBC, and WBC) and plasma metabolites (total protein, albumin, globulin, and total lipids) (P > 0.05). The lower plasma cholesterol was witnessed in fish fed HIM-incorporated diets than in fish fed control diets except for the HIM50 diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HIM can replace dietary FM up to 50% (20 g kg−1 HIM inclusion) without harming the production performance and health of snakehead juveniles.

Effects of Partial Replacement of Soybean Meal with Defatted Hermetia illucens Meal in the Diet of Laying Hens on Performance, Dietary Egg Quality, and Serum Biochemical and Redox Indices.

This study was carried out on 96 caged Bovans Brown laying hens at an initial age of 25 weeks, which were randomly assigned to four experimental groups of 12 replicates (cages) of two hens per cage. The control group hens received a diet containing 20% soybean meal (SBM), without Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HIM) content. The hens in the experimental groups received a diet containing defatted HIM at levels of 5, 10, and 15% (HIM 5%, HIM 10%, and HIM 15%, respectively), at the expense of a proportionally decreasing content of SBM. During the 12-week experiment, the laying performance, biochemical and redox blood indices, and liver condition were examined. The cholesterol level, fatty acid profile, and malondialdehyde content in egg yolks were also evaluated to determine the dietary quality of the eggs. The inclusion of HIM at any level in the diet did not affect the laying performance parameters (p > 0.05). Increased serum Ca and uric acid contents were observed. There was no effect on the redox indices in plasma. The number of hepatocytes was decreased in the HIM-fed groups. The level of cholesterol in yolks was reduced, and the fatty acid profile showed significant changes. Despite the high lauric acid content in the H. illucens meal, it was present in trace amounts in yolks. In the HIM-fed groups, the levels of saturated fatty acids increased significantly, whereas those of unsaturated fatty acids decreased in the yolks in the same groups.

Feeding of Hermetia illucens Larvae Meal Attenuates Hepatic Lipid Synthesis and Fatty Liver Development in Obese Zucker Rats.

The present study tested the hypothesis that dietary insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae attenuates the development of liver steatosis and hyperlipidemia in the obese Zucker rat. To test the hypothesis, a 4-week trial with male, obese Zucker rats (n = 30) and male, lean Zucker rats (n = 10) was performed. The obese rats were assigned to three obese groups (group O-C, group O-HI25, group O-HI50) of 10 rats each. The lean rats served as a lean control group (L-C). Group L-C and group O-C were fed a control diet with 20% casein as protein source, whereas 25% and 50% of the protein from casein was replaced with protein from HI larvae meal in the diets of group O-HI25 and O-HI50, respectively. The staining of liver sections with Oil red O revealed an excessive lipid accumulation in the liver of group O-C compared to group L-C, whereas liver lipid accumulation in group O-HI25 and O-HI50 was markedly reduced compared to group O-C. Hepatic concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, the sum of total fatty acids and hepatic mRNA levels of several genes associated with lipid synthesis and plasma concentration of cholesterol were markedly higher in group O-C than in group L-C, but lower in group O-HI50 than in group O-C (p < 0.05). In conclusion, partial replacement of casein by HI larvae meal attenuates liver steatosis and dyslipidemia in obese Zucker rats. This suggests that HI larvae meal serves as a functional food protecting from obesity-induced metabolic disorders.

Effects of Hermetia Illucens Larvae Meal on the Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) Revealed by Innate Immunity and 16s Rrna Gene Sequencing Analysis

Effects of Hermetia Illucens Larvae Meal on the Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) Revealed by Innate Immunity and 16s Rrna Gene Sequencing Analysis

Suitability of Hermetia illucens larvae meal and fat in broiler diets: effects on animal performance, apparent ileal digestibility, gut histology, and microbial metabolites

BackgroundThe possibility of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with Hermetia illucens (HI) defatted larvae meal in broiler nutrition has frequently been suggested. For sustainability reasons, however, the larvae fat produced during defatting should also be used and could be particularly beneficial regarding gut health due to its fatty acid composition. To evaluate the suitability of HI larvae as protein and fat source, a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two types of protein, i.e. SBM (S) or SBM and 15% of its crude protein replaced by HI larvae meal (L), and three levels of fat sources, namely 0 (0 L), 50% (50 L) or 100% HI larvae fat (100 L) at the expense of soybean oil was applied.ResultsIn the starter phase, an interaction showed higher body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) if 50% or 100% HI larvae fat was fed with HI larvae meal. Moreover, BW, ADG and FCR improved when feeding HI larvae meal as protein source. Additionally, we observed an increased average daily feed intake in the grower, finisher, and overall phase in the L groups and an improved FCR in 0 L compared to 50 L groups during the overall period. Regarding apparent ileal digestibility, HI larvae meal feeding increased dry matter, organic matter, and fat digestibility. Feeding HI larvae meal as protein source decreased the concentrations of agmatine, spermidine, spermine and ammonia in the caecal digesta, whereas fat source affected agmatine with higher concentrations in 50 L compared to 0 L in the colonic digesta. In contrast, caecal ethanolamine concentrations increased in HI larvae meal groups compared to SBM. Caecal butyric acid concentrations decreased with HI larvae meal feeding. An interaction was found for the jejunal villus area, being higher in L + 100 L compared to S + 100 L. Furthermore, L groups had greater villus width.ConclusionsA partial replacement of SBM with HI larvae meal and soybean oil with HI larvae fat in broiler diets without impairing animal performance or gut health seems possible. Feeding HI larvae meal affected broiler performance positively in the starter phase and improved apparent ileal digestibility.

Metabolomic Effects of the Dietary Inclusion of Hermetia illucens Larva Meal in Tilapia.

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal have been used as feed protein supplements in fish feed, but few researches have investigated the metabolomic effects of Hermetia illucens larvae meal supplements. Therefore, the metabolic effects on Nile tilapia were investigated by replacing 5%, 10%, and 20% of the dietary soybean meal in the basal diet with Hermetia illucens larvae meal, respectively. This study shows that 20% H. illucens larvae meal feed could promote tilapia average daily gain of upto 5.03 ± 0.18 g (mean ± SEM). It was found that the tricarboxylic acid cycle efficiency was improved by activating the enzymes of mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, which then increased the output of ATP and NADH. Furthermore, amino acid and protein biosynthesis was boosted by enhanced glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase. In particular, GSH increased with increased H. illucens larvae meal. Unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis was stimulated by higher levels of fatty acid synthase and acetyl CoA carboxylase. Additionally, there was no significant change in lipase levels. Thus, the higher acetyl Co-A content was primarily involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and energy metabolism. Flavor substances, such as nonanal and 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, also accumulated with the addition of H. illucens larvae meal, which increased the umami taste and meat flavor. Additionally, the flavor of tilapia was improved owing to a decrease in trimethylamine content, which causes an earthy and fishy taste. This study uncovers a previously unknown metabolic effect of dietary H. illucens larvae meal on Nile tilapia.

Chemical Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of the Pectoralis major Muscle in Broiler Chickens Fed Diets with Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal.

Simple SummaryInsect meal (processed insect protein) can effectively cater to the growing demand for protein sources in animal diets. However, insect meals have to be thoroughly analyzed before they can be incorporated into the diets of monogastric animals (such as poultry) because animal nutrition is directly correlated with the quality (including chemical composition) of meat, which was confirmed by the present study. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal in broiler chicken nutrition. Lower dietary inclusion levels of insect meal than those analyzed in this study, and insect meal with a modified fatty acid profile should be investigated to optimize the nutritional value and health benefits of poultry meat.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal used as a substitute for 50%, 75% and 100% of soybean meal (SBM) in diets fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens on the proximate chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Pectoralis major (PM) muscle. The muscles of chickens fed HI larvae meal were characterized by a higher (p < 0.05) total concentration of pigments and lower (p < 0.05) ash content. At the lowest dietary inclusion rate (50%) of HI larvae meal, the PM muscle had a lower (p < 0.05) content of fat and collagen, compared with the remaining treatments. An analysis of the fatty acid profile of the PM muscle revealed that the total concentrations of saturated fatty acids increased (p < 0.05) and the total concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing inclusion levels of HI larvae meal. The changes in the fatty acid profile of muscles in birds receiving HI larvae meal led to a decrease in the nutritional value of fat. The present findings indicate that the ≥50% inclusion rate of full-fat HI larvae meal as a protein source alternative to SBM in broiler chicken diets is too high due to its negative effect on the fatty acid profile of meat.