Soldier Fly Larvae Meal Research Articles

A Nutritional Evaluation of Insect Meal as a Sustainable Protein Source for Jumbo Quails: Physiological and Meat Quality Responses

The use of insect meals in place of soybean meal in diets is critical for sustainable intensification of poultry production, but the utility of this alternative dietary protein source is unknown for the Jumbo quail. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of partial substitution of soybean with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on feed intake, physiological, and meat quality parameters of Jumbo quails. Three hundred and fifteen mixed-gender quails (53.8 ± 5.19 g live-weight) were reared on five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets formulated by replacing soybean products with BSFL meal at 0 (BSFL0), 25 (BSFL25), 50 (BSFL50), 75 (BSFL75), and 100 (BSFL100) g/kg. Feed intake, body weight gain, gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), blood parameters, and carcass and meat quality traits were determined. Quadratic trends were observed for overall feed intake (y = 605 (±17.56) + 2.1 (±0.82)x − 0.02 (±0.008)x2; R2 = 0.20; p = 0.023) and overall body weight gain (y = 155 (±4.70) + 0.57 (±0.22)x − 0.005 (±0.002)x2; R2 = 0.22; p = 0.026) in response to BSFL levels. However, there were neither linear nor quadratic trends for meat quality and blood parameters, except for albumin-to-globulin ratio. Only gizzard size linearly increased (y = 0.05 (±0.004)x + 2.3 (±0.09); R2 = 0.18; p = 0.04) with BSFL levels. We concluded that BSFL meal could replace soybean products in Jumbo quail diets at 54 g/kg without compromising weight gain and meat quality.

Effects of replacement of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal in the diets on growth performance of discus fish (Symphysodon sp.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the replacement of fishmeal by black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) (BSF) meal, frozen beef heart, and commercial pellet on growth performance, survival rate, and feed utilization of discus fish (Symphysodon sp.). Discus juveniles were graded into small, medium and large size groups as block in a completely randomized block design. Five trial diets included frozen beef heart (T1), commercial feed for discus fish (T2) and three diets containing graded levels of BSF as replacements for protein from fishmeal of 0% (T3), 25% (T4), and 50% (T5). The results showed that TAN and nitrite levels in the beef heart treatment were higher than those in the other ones. Moreover, discus fish in treatment 1 had a higher growth rate and a lower feed conversion ratio than those in the other treatments. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences among the pellet treatments were observed for growth rates of discus's weight, length and height and feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, the results showed that discus fish in the two BSF treatments did not suffer from diseases and had higher survival rates than those in the other treatments.

Catching black soldier fly for meagre: Growth, whole-body fatty acid profile and metabolic responses

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diets including 10%, 20%, and 30% of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal (HM) (diets HM10, HM20, and HM30, respectively), replacing 17%, 35%, and 52% of fishmeal (FM), on growth performance, whole-body composition and fatty acid (FA) profile, plasma biochemistry, and intermediary metabolism of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) juveniles. For that purpose, triplicate groups of 18.0 ± 0.02 g fish were fed a control diet (CTR) without HM, and the experimental diets for 9 weeks. Growth, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, nitrogen and energy retentions linearly decreased with the increase of dietary HM level. With the exception of ash, whole-body composition was not linearly affected by dietary HM inclusion. Regarding whole-body FA profile, total saturated fatty acids (SFA), SFA: polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio, and total n-6PUFA linearly increased with increasing levels of dietary HM, while total n-3PUFA, n-3 long chain PUFA (LC-PUFA), n-3:n-6 ratio, and unsaturation index linearly decreased with increasing levels of HM in the diets. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) whole-body retention linearly decreased while lauric acid (12:0) retention increased with the increase of HM in the diet. Plasma glucose linearly increased, while plasma triglycerides and total lipids decreased with the dietary level of HM. Hepatic amino acid catabolic (alanine aminotransferease and aspartate aminotransferease), and lipogenic (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) enzymes activities were unaffected by diet composition, whereas lipid catabolic (3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase) enzyme activity linearly decreased with dietary HM level. Glutamate dehydrogenase, an amino acid catabolic enzyme, was lower in fish fed the HM20 diet than the other HM-including diets. Overall, 10% of HM, corresponding to 17% of FM replacement, might be included in meagre diets without major adverse effects on growth, feed utilization, whole-body composition and FA profile.

Evaluation of Supplementation of Defatted Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal in Beagle Dogs

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to test the effects of supplementation of defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) meal in beagle dogs. A total of nine healthy female beagles (initial body weight 12.1 ± 1.76 kg) were fed grain-based diets with three levels of BSFL meal (0, 1% or 2%) in a 42-day feeding trial. At the end of week 6 of the experiment, all dogs were intraperitoneally challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 100 μg/kg of body weight. Albumin concentration was linearly increased with increasing BSFL meal level (P<0.05). A linear increase (P<0.05) in calcium concentration was observed when increasing dietary BSFL meal. Although dietary treatments did not affect the digestibility of ether extract, the digestibility of dry matter and crude protein were linearly increased with increasing the level of BSFL meal. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α was linearly decreased but glutathione peroxidase (GPx) concentration was linearly increased when increasing the level of BSFL meal at 6 h after challenge (P<0.05). In addition, there were quadratic increases in concentrations of GPx and superoxide dismutase with increasing dietary BSFL meal level at 3 h after challenge (P<0.05). These findings from the present study demonstrate that BSFL meal can be supplemented in the diet to convert beneficial effects to beagle dogs, indicated as improved digestibility of dry matter and crude protein and anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative capacity.

Standardized ileal digestible amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy content in defatted black soldier fly larvae meal fed to broiler chickens

Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) in defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) were determined in broiler chicks. A total of 180-d-old male broiler chicks (Ross 708) were fed a commercial broiler starter diet to day 13 of age. On day 14, birds were weighed and placed in cages (10 birds per cage; n = 6) and allocated one of two semi-purified cornstarch-based diets. The diets were nitrogen-free diet (NFD) for estimating endogenous AA losses and 20% crude protein test diet with BSFLM as the sole source of AA. All diets had 0.5% titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an indigestible marker and the ratio of cornstarch to sucrose and soy oil in the test diet was identical to NFD to calculate AMEn by difference method. Birds were given feed and water ad libitum. Excreta samples were collected on days 17–20 and ileal digesta on day 21. The SID of lysine, methionine, cysteine, threonine, isoleucine, and valine was 86.3%, 88.7%, 72.8%, 85.5%, 89.6%, and 88.6%, respectively. Apparent retention of gross energy in BSFLM was 64.5% ± 2.27% and AMEn was 2902 ± 101 kcal kg−1 dry matter. The data will aid in accurate incorporation of BSFLM in poultry feeding programs.

Evaluation of defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae meal as an alternative protein ingredient for juvenile Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) diets

Defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (DBSFLM) has been shown a promising fish meal (FM) substitute in diets for turbot, rainbow trout, Jian carp, Pacific white shrimp and Atlantic salmon, but it has not been examined as an alternative protein source in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) diets. A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of partial replacement of dietary FM with DBSFLM on the growth performance, whole body composition, blood metabolites, digestive enzyme activities, hepatic and intestinal histomorphology, and lipid metabolism related genes expression of juvenile L. japonicus. Five isoproteic (39%) and isolipidic (11%) diets were formulated by replacing 0% (FM), 16% (DBSFLM16), 32% (DBSFLM32), 48% (DBSFLM48) and 64% (DBSFLM64) of fish meal. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish per tank. Fish were fed two times daily to apparent satiation. Results showed that growth performance, somatic indexes, hepatic and intestinal histomorphology, and the intestinal antioxidant and immunity indexes of fish were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Fish consuming DBSFLM48 and DBSFLM64 had higher (P < 0.05) feed intake, but lower (P < 0.05) whole body ash content and ash retention along with serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and malondialdehyde than those fed FM. DBSFLM inclusion did not alter activities of hepatic trypsin, lipase and amylase, but increased (P < 0.05) activity of intestinal lipase for fish fed DBSFLM48 and DBSFLM64 than those fed FM. Relative genes expression were up-regulated (P < 0.05) in hepatic lipoprotein lipase for fish fed DBSFLM64 and in hormone sensitive lipase for fish fed DBSFLM32, DBSFLM48 and DBSFLM64, whereas down-regulated (P < 0.05) in fatty acid synthase for fish fed DBSFLM diets than those fed FM. It was concluded that the replacement of dietary FM with DBSFLM up to 64% level did not alter growth performance, hepatic and intestinal histomorphology of L. japonicus. The increased feed intake, reduced blood lipid and inhibited hepatic lipid deposition suggest that DBSFLM can be a desirable protein alternative source as a replacement of fish meal in L. japonicus diets.

Effect of energy to protein ratio using alternative feed ingredients on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broilers

Present study was conducted to evaluate the different levels of energy to protein ratios (EPR) using food waste and black soldier fly larvae meal (FWBSFL) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers. A total of 160 one-day old broiler chicks were divided randomly to four groups and each group had 8 replicates with 5 chicks per replicate. The control diet was formulated using conventional feed ingredients with EPR of 154 for the starter period and 167 for the finisher period. The other treatments were diets with normal, low, and high EPR (154,143, and 166 for the starter period; 167, 155, and 177 for the finisher period) using FWBSFL. Feed consumption and body weight gain as well as digestibility of crude protein, crude fiber, and fat were decreased due to feeding of FWBSFL diets. Different levels of EPR using FWBSFL decreased growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers.

Black soldier fly defatted meal as a dietary protein source for broiler chickens: effects on carcass traits, breast meat quality and safety

Finding insect meals as alternative sources of poultry feedstuffs is a recent research topic; therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L., HI) larvae meal in broiler chicken diets on the carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters, proximate composition, fatty acid profile and the heavy metal content of the breast meat. Four dietary treatments were designed: a control diet (HI0) and three experimental diets (HI5, HI10 and HI15), corresponding to 50, 100 and 150 g/kg HI inclusion levels, respectively. The inclusion of 50, 100 and 150 g HI meal per kg feed supply 16.56%, 33.01% and 49.63% of required crude protein. The broilers were slaughtered at day 35, the carcasses were weighed and the breast muscles were excised from 16 birds per each feeding group (two birds per replicate pens) and used for meat quality evaluation. Linear and quadratic responses were observed, for increasing HI meal levels, in the live and carcass weights (maximum for HI10). As far as the colour of the breast meat is concerned, redness (a*) showed a linear response, while yellowness (b*) linearly decreased with increasing HI meal levels (minimum for HI15). As the HI larvae meal increased in the diets, the moisture content linearly decreased and the protein content increased. The total saturated fatty acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid proportions rose to the detriment of the polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction. The HI larvae meal, used in the current study, represents a valuable protein source for broiler chickens when included by up to 100 g/kg in their diets, as an improved slaughtering performance was observed without any detrimental effects on meat quality parameters or heavy metal residues in the meat.

Gut health and vaccination response in pre-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal

Limited availability of sustainable feed ingredients is a serious concern in salmon aquaculture. Insects may become an important, sustainable resource for expanding the raw material repertoire. Herein, we present data from an 8-week feeding trial with pre-smolt Atlantic salmon (initial body weight 49 ± 1.5 g) fed either a reference diet containing fish meal, soy protein concentrate and wheat gluten as protein sources, or a test diet wherein 85% of the protein was supplied by black soldier fly larvae meal. Possible diet effect on the systemic immune response was evaluated by measuring plasma antibody titers after vaccination against infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV). The gut health of fish was evaluated using endpoints including organ and tissue indices, histopathological parameters and gene expression. Both diets induced the same level of antibody responses against IPNV. In fish fed the reference diet, the histological examination of the pyloric caeca mucosa showed clear hyper-vacuolization suggestive of lipid accumulation in enterocytes, whereas this was less pronounced in the insect meal fed fish. Expression of genes relevant to lipid metabolism confirmed these histological findings. Immune and barrier-function gene expression profiles were both generally not affected by diet. However, the fish fed insect meal showed increased expression of genes indicative of stress response, immune tolerance and increased detoxification activity. In summary, our results showed no indications that dietary inclusion of insect meal affected the gut health of Atlantic salmon negatively. The insect meal based diet seemed to reduce excessive lipid deposition in the pyloric caeca and stimulate xenobiotic metabolism.

Growth and Survival Evaluation of Oreochromis Sp fed Hermetia illucens Larva and Manihot esculenta leaves Meal

This study was conducted to compare the effects of dietary substitution of fish meal (FM) with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFM) and Manihot esculenta leaves meal (MEM) on the growth and feed efficiency of Oreochromis sp. Four concentrations viz: P1 (25%): 50g BSFM and 25g MEM, P2 (50%): 100g BSFM and 50g MEM, P3 (75%): 150g BSFM and 75g MEM, P4 (100%): 200g BSFM and 100g MEM were prepared and tested against control without FM replacement. Each diet was fed to three replicates groups of fish at a rate of 5% of body weight two times per day for 30 days. At the end of the trial, growth parameters, Feed conversion rate (FCR), and feed efficiency (FE) were evaluated. The results showed that fish fed dietary substitution of FM with combination ratio of BSFM and MEM higher than 50% significantly improved all growth parameters, FCR and FE. It is therefore suggested that the partial (higher than 50%) or total replacement of fish meal with combination of BSFM and MEM in the diet of Oreochromis sp can be used as fish meal substitution to obtain better growth and feed efficiency.

Black soldier fly larvae meal can replace fish meal in diets of sea-water phase Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

A feeding trial was conducted to test the growth potential, nutritional utilization, liver health and fillet sensory parameters of sea-water Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed diets with increasing substitution of fish meal with insect meal. The insect meal was produced from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, L.). Triplicate sea-cages of salmon were fed one of four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets for 16 weeks. The control diet (IM0) contained 100 g kg−1 fish meal, which was replaced up to 100% with insect meal (33% (IM33), 66% (IM66) and 100% (IM100)), corresponding to dietary insect meal inclusion levels at 50 g kg−1, 100 g kg−1 and 150 g kg−1, respectively. Replacing the dietary fish meal with insect meal did not affect the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of protein, lipid, amino acids and fatty acids, or the digestive enzyme activities. Feed intake, daily growth increase, and feed conversion ratio were also unaffected by the inclusion of insect meal in the diets. Whole body protein, lipid and amino acid composition were not affected by dietary substitution of fish meal with insect meal, while the whole body fatty acid composition generally reflected that of the diets. Liver lipid accumulation was not affected by replacing the fishmeal with insect meal, as assessed by both histological examinations and chemical analyses. The sensory testing of the fillet revealed only small changes in the fillet sensory quality. In general, this study showed that a total replacement of fish meal with black soldier fly larvae meal in the diets of sea-water Atlantic salmon was possible without negative effects on growth performance, feed utilization, nutrient digestibility, liver traits or the sensory qualities of the fillet.

Egg production and quality responses of adding up to 7.5% defatted black soldier fly larvae meal in a corn–soybean meal diet fed to Shaver White Leghorns from wk 19 to 27 of age

We examined egg production and quality responses of adding up to 7.5% defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in a corn–soybean meal diet fed to pullets (19 to 27 wk of age). The concentration of CP and crude fat in BSFLM sample was 59.3 and 7.0% DM, respectively. A corn–soybean meal diet was formulated with 0 or 5.0 or 7.5% BSFLM and fed (n = 6) to a total of 108, 19-wk-old Shaver White pullets placed in conventional cages (6 birds/cage). The birds had free access to feed and water. Hen-day egg production (HDEP) and average egg weight were monitored daily and feed intake (FI) weekly. Egg quality parameters were assessed on individual eggs collected on the 5th d of wk 22, 24, and 26 and included individual EW (IEW), albumen height (HU), yolk color (YC), egg shell-breaking strength (SBS) and thickness (ST). A quadratic response (P < 0.02) was observed for HDEP, EW and egg mass. Specifically, birds fed 0 and 7.5% BSFLM diets had similar (P > 0.05) values for these parameters with birds fed 5.0% BSFLM showing lower (P < 0.05) HDEP than 0 or 7.5% BSFLM fed birds. The HDEP was 89.4, 84.8, and 87.8 for 0, 5.0, and 7.5% BSFLM, respectively. Feeding BSFLM linearly (P < 0.01) increased FI and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (FI/egg mass). There was no diet effect (P > 0.05) on IEW and HU, however, BSFLM linearly (P = 0.02) reduced CV of IEW. The IEW was 53.7, 52.3, and 53.0 g for 0, 5.0, and 7.5% BSFLM-fed birds, respectively and corresponding CV values of IEW were 7.9, 5.2, and 5.1%. Feeding BSFLM linearly (P < 0.01) increased YC, SBS, and ST. In conclusion, birds fed 7.5% BSFLM had similar HDEP and egg mass but poor FCR relative to corn–soybean meal diet without BSFLM. The effects of BSFLM on egg quality characteristics warrant further investigations.

The oil fraction and partially defatted meal of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) affect differently growth performance, feed efficiency, nutrient deposition, blood glucose and lipid digestibility of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effects of partially defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) and mechanically-extracted oil from that same insect (BSFLO) on growth, feed utilization, body composition, gut histology and blood plasma biochemistry of rainbow trout were evaluated over a three-month growth trial. Seven experimental diets containing 0 (Diet A), 6.6 (Diet B), 13.2 (Diet C) and 26.4% (Diet D) BSFLM, and 2.5 (Diet E), 5.0 (Diet F) and 10% (Diet G) BSFLO were randomly allocated to 21,140-l tanks at 30 trout (45.7 ± 1.4 g) per tank. To estimate the nutrient digestibility of these ingredients, Diet A was supplemented with 0.5% titanium dioxide and served as the Reference diet to create two test diets containing 80% of the Reference diet combined with 20% of defatted BSFLM (diet B-test) and 20% of BSFLO (C-test). Water temperature was maintained at 13.9 ± 0.3 °C in both trials. Growth performances, measured using the thermal-unit growth coefficient (TGC), were high with TGC values ≥ 0.260, regardless of BSFLM or BSFLO inclusion. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) were ≤ 0.91. However, TGC was significantly lower with Diet D (26.4% BSFLM) (P < .020) and FCR values increased significantly at each increment level of BSFLM (P < .05). There was a negative relationship between relative body protein content and dietary inclusion of BSFLM, but not BSFLO (P < .001). Hydroxyproline was the sole amino acid that increased in trout fed BSFLM or BSFLO. The inclusion of BSFLM and BSFLO had no impact on the histology of the posterior intestine, but villi in the anterior intestine of trout fed Diet D (26.4% BSFLM) was significantly shorter relative to the Control (1035 ± 146 μm vs. 1176 ± 160 μm). There was a negative relationship between blood glucose and BSFLO inclusion level, which suggested BSFLO had some antihyperglycemic effect in fasted rainbow trout. The ADCs of protein and amino acid in BSFLM varied between 87 and 93%, but the digestibility of lipid and dry matter in BSFLM was relatively low at 73 and 75%, respectively. The digestibility of hydroxyproline was significantly superior in diets containing BSFLM or BSFLO than in the Reference diet (P = .014). Based on these results, the maximum inclusion of BSFLM recommended in rainbow trout diets is 13%. The maximum inclusion of BSFLO could potentially be superior to 10%, but this hypothesis needs further study. The enhanced digestibility of hydroxyproline in diets containing BSFL products has potential benefits for fish fed low fishmeal diets.

Physico-chemical properties of extruded aquafeed pellets containing black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and adult cricket (Acheta domesticus) meals

Fish farming is faced with the challenge of high cost of feeds because of the cost of high quality protein needed for formulation of the feeds. Thus, there is urgent need for alternative protein sources. The effects of substituting freshwater shrimp meal (FWSM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFM) or adult cricket meal (ACM) on physico-chemical properties of hot-extruded fish feed pellets were investigated. The FWSM protein in a 26 g/100 g protein fish feed formulation was substituted at 0, 25, 50 and 75%, and moisture content of the formulated blends adjusted to 10, 20 or 30 g/100 g prior to extrusion. Floatability, expansion rate, bulk density, durability index, water absorption index, water solubility index, and water stability of extruded pellets were determined. Sinking velocity and the total suspended and dissolved solids in water were determined for the optimal pellets. Pellet floatability was not influenced by the type of insect meal but the interaction between level of inclusion and moisture content of the feed at extrusion. Pellets with high floatability &gt;90% were produced from all feed blends at 30 g/100 g moisture content. Expansion ratio, was not influenced by type of insect meal or the level of inclusion but by the moisture content whereby feed blends extruded at 30 g/100 g moisture gave pellets with high expansion ratio ~60%. Bulk density was influenced by the interaction of the three factors. Pellet durability and water absorption indices were not influenced by the investigated factors or their interactions. Processed pellets were generally highly durable (99%) out of water, but the stability in water was significantly influenced by the interaction of type of insect meal level of inclusion and moisture content at extrusion. Water solubility increased with increasing extrusion moisture. Overall, it was possible to process good quality extruded pellets with 75% BSFM or 75% ACM at 30 g/100 g feed moisture.

Black soldier fly as dietary protein source for broiler quails: meat proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid profile, oxidative status and sensory traits

In the perspective of improving the sustainability of meat production, insects have been rapidly emerging as innovative feed ingredient for some livestock species, including poultry. However, at present, there is still limited knowledge regarding the quality and sensory traits of the derived meat. Therefore, the present study tested the effect of a partial substitution of soya bean meal and oil with defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (H) in the diet for growing broiler quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on meat proximate composition, cholesterol, amino acid and mineral contents, fatty acid profile, oxidative status and sensory characteristics. To this purpose, three dietary treatments were designed: a control diet (C) and two diets (H1 and H2) corresponding to 10% and 15% H inclusion levels, respectively, were fed to growing quails from 10 to 28 days of age. At 28 days of age, quails were slaughtered and breast meat was used for meat quality evaluations. Meat proximate composition, cholesterol content and oxidative status remained unaffected by H supplementation as well as its sensory characteristics and off-flavours perception. Differently, with increasing the dietary H inclusion, the total saturated fatty acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid proportions raised to the detriment of the polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction thus lowering the healthiness of the breast meat. The H2 diet increased the contents of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, serine, tyrosine and threonine thus further enhancing the biological value of the meat protein. As a direct result of the dietary content of Ca and P, the meat of quails fed with the highest H level, displayed the highest Ca and the lowest P values. Therefore, meat quality evaluations confirmed H to be a promising insect protein source for quails. The only potential drawback from feeding H to broiler quails regarded the fatty acid profile of the meat, therefore requiring further research efforts to understand to what extent the fatty acid profile of H can be improved.

Growth performance, feed utilization and body composition of advanced nursing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets containing Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal

A 32-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects on the performance, feed utilization efficiency and body composition of a strategic inclusion of Black Soldier Fly larvae meal (MM) in a commercially formulated diet for advance nursing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were commercially formulated and manufactured as a control and three test diets with strategic inclusions of MM inclusions (0, 30, 50 and 80 g/kg) and poultry by-product meal substituting gradually three conventional expensive feedstuffs: fish meal, fish oil and soybean meal. Fish (5.7 ± 0.5 g/fish) were nursed in a cage-in-lake system (Volta Lake, Ghana), under conditions similar to commercial farming practices. Control and experimental diets were fed to triplicate cages by hand to visual satiety, six times per day. Growth performance (final weight; weight gain and SGR), feed utilization efficiency indices (FCR and PER) and feed intake were not significantly different (p ≥ .05) between treatments. Survival was significantly different (p < .05) but more likely explained by the stress related to frequent handling on the smaller fish. Fish whole body composition (dry matter, crude protein, lipid, ash and fibre) was unaffected by the treatment (p ≥ .05), except for the fatty acid compositions which mirrored that of the diets.

Nutritional value of a partially defatted and a highly defatted black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) meal for broiler chickens: apparent nutrient digestibility, apparent metabolizable energy and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility

BackgroundThe study aimed to determine the apparent total tract digestibility coefficients (ATTDC) of nutrients, the apparent metabolizable energy (AME and AMEn) and the amino acid (AA) apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AIDC) of a partially defatted (BSFp) and a highly defatted (BSFh) black soldier fly larvae meal. The experimental diets were: a basal diet and two diets prepared by substituting 250 g/kg (w/w) of the basal diet with BSFp or BSFh, respectively.ResultsSignificant differences were found between BSFp and BSFh meals for ATTDC of the nutrients: BSFp resulted more digestible than BSFh, except for ATTDC of CP which did not differed between meals, while a statistical trend was observed for ATTDC of DM and EE. The AME and AMEn values were significantly (P < 0.05) different between the two BSF meals, with higher levels for BSFp (16.25 and 14.87 MJ/kg DM, respectively). The AIDC of the AA in BSFp ranged from 0.44 to 0.92, while in BSFh they ranged from 0.45 to 0.99. No significant differences were observed for the AA digestibility (0.77 and 0.80 for BSFp and BSFh, respectively), except for glutamic acid, proline and serine that were more digestible in the BSFh meal (P < 0.05).ConclusionsDefatted BSF meals can be considered as an excellent source of AME and digestible AA for broilers with a better efficient nutrient digestion. These considerations suggested the effective utilization of defatted BSF larvae meal in poultry feed formulation.

Defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal in diets for juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian): Growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activities, digestive enzyme activities, intestine and hepatopancreas histological structure

A 59-days feeding trial was carried out to estimate the effects of fish meal replacement by defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (DBSFLM) on growth performance, antioxidate enzyme activities, digestive enzyme activities, hepatopancreas and intestinal morphology in Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) juveniles (initial mean body weight, 34.78g). Five isolipidic (5.29±0.04%) and isoprotein (40.69±0.11%) diets were formulated by replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% fish meal (FM) protein with graded DBSFLM levels of 0%, 2.6%, 5.3%, 7.9% and 10.6%. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 20 fish per aquarium. Fish were fed three times daily to apparent satiation. The results showed that the growth performance and nutrients utilization of fish in five groups were not different (P>0.05). The hepatopancreas lipid and serum cholesterol content of treated groups was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). With increasing dietary DBSFLM level, the activity of the CAT significantly increased. No significant differences in the activity of intestinal protease, lipase and diastase were observed among dietary groups (P>0.05). The histological examination of intestine showed that when 75% or more FM protein was replaced, apparent pathological changes for example tissue disruption were observed in intestine, and relative gene expression of HSP70 in hepatopancreas significantly increased (P<0.05). The histological examination of hepatopancreas sections showed less vacuolated with lipid deposits in treatment groups compared with control group. These results suggested that the growth of Jian carp was not affected by dietary DBSFLM, while it boosted antioxidant status of Jian carp by higher CAT activity. However, dietary stress and intestinal histopathological damage was observed when the replacement levels exceeded 75%. The study demonstrates that it is suitable to replace up to 50% of dietary FM protein with DBSFLM.

Evaluation of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal as partial or total replacement of marine fish meal in practical diets for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal, produced from the larvae of Hermetia illucens, has shown promise as a fish meal (FM) replacement in diets for rainbow trout, catfish and tilapia, but has not been examined as an alternative protein source in shrimp diets. Six isonitrogenous (35% crude protein, as fed) and isoenergetic (16.7kJ available energy g−1 of diet) diets containing graded levels of BSFL as replacements for protein from menhaden FM were fed to juvenile (1.24g±0.01; mean±SE) Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Diet 1 (the control) was formulated similar to a commercial shrimp diet containing 25% menhaden FM and 23% soybean meal. Diets 2–6 were formulated as a dose-response series that progressively replaced protein from menhaden FM with BSFL meal at inclusion rates of 7%, 14%, 21%, 28%, and 36% of diet; this equated to progressively replacing 16.5% of dietary protein provided by menhaden FM. Diets were fed to juvenile shrimp stocked into eighteen 110-L saltwater aquaria (30ppt) (three replicates per dietary treatment) at a density of 15 shrimp per aquarium (50/m2) for 63days. Nonlinear and spline regression analysis of responses indicated that the maximum level of BSFL meal inclusion varied significantly with the response being modeled. Generally, without modification of the ingredient or replacement diet nutrient profiles, 95% to 100% of most growth responses, i.e., shrimp final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and food conversion, could be obtained if replacement of FM by BSFL meal was limited to <25% of the diet, depending on performance measure. Similarly, 95% or greater of maximum whole-body protein and lipid content could be achieved when BSFL inclusion was restricted to <29% and 15%, respectively. Comparison of amino acid profiles in the test diets with recent requirement estimates for limiting amino acids in BSFL meal also suggest future strategies for increasing dietary substitution of FM with BSFL.

Effects of Substitution of Fish Meal with Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal, in Yellow Catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) Diets

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSF) on growth performance, feed utilization, and plasma parameters, for juvenile yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were prepared substituting the FM protein with BSF protein in the following amounts: 0 (control group), 10% (BSF10), 15% (BSF15), 20% (BSF20), 25% (BSF25) and 30% (BSF30). Three replicate groups of juvenile yellow catfish (initial weight of 1.20 ± 0.01 g) were stocked in circular tanks at a rate of 30 fish per tank. The results showed that 20% of the FM in the control diet could be replaced with BSF without significantly reducing weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or whole body and muscle proximate composition. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipids, gross energy, or amino acids were not affected by 10% FM replacement. 30% FM replacement in the BSF30 diet significantly increased the concentration of cholesterol (CHO) and nitric oxide (NO) in the plasma, and significantly reduced the inhibition of superoxide radical anion formation. In conclusion, it appears that up to 20% of the FM in conventional yellow catfish diets can be replaced with BSF, and thus account for up to 8.9% of the total protein in the diet without causing a significant reduction in growth performance.