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

Abstract

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.

Growth performance, serum biochemistry and meat quality traits of Jumbo quails fed with mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) meal-containing diets

“…These findings were in line with those of many authors who reported a lack of differences on growth performance of various poultry species when soybean meal was replaced with various insect meals ( Maurer et al., 2016 ; Biasato et al., 2016 ; Cullere et al., 2018 ; Elahi et al., 2020 ). Contrary to our findings, several studies have reported that the inclusion of insect meals improves the bird performance ( Mareko, Nsoso, Mosweu, Mokate, & Madibela, 2010 ; Mbhele, Mnisi, & Mlambo, 2019 ; Zadeh, Kheiri, & Faghani, 2019 ). Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the nutritive value of these meals vary by species, life stage and rearing condition, which could explain the wide variability of the reported results ( Zadeh, Kheiri, & Faghani, 2019 ).…”

“…Despite the nutritional properties of MW, its effect on quail meat quality has not been investigated. We found that inclusion of MWM had no effect on meat pH, temperature, water retention, cooking and thawing losses, which was in agreement with the findings of Mbhele, Mnisi, and Mlambo (2019) and Elahi et al. (2020) , who reported a lack of dietary effect on meat quality.…”

“…In this study, adding MWM in place of soybean products did not alter the pathophysiology of the birds. In addition, the serum biochemical values fell within the normal range reported for healthy quails ( Mnisi & Mlambo, 2018a ; Mbhele, Mnisi, & Mlambo, 2019 ). Indeed, no differences were observed particularly on serum total protein as well as the liver enzymes (ALT and ALKP), further verifying that the inclusion of MWM did not compromise the health status of the birds.…”

“…and black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens L .) in broiler chickens ( Hwangbo et al., 2009 ; Bovera et al., 2015 ; Biasato et al., 2017 ) and, to a limited degree, in quails ( Zadeh, Kheiri, & Faghani, 2019 ; Mbhele, Mnisi, & Mlambo, 2019 ). In this study, repeated measures analysis revealed no significant diet and week interaction effects on weekly measured parameters (feed intake, body weight gain, and gain-to-feed ratio), demonstrating that the inclusion of MWM had no influence on the performance of the birds as they grew older.…”

“…Nonetheless, the use of MW as a sustainable protein source of high biological value in Jumbo quails provide an opportunity to directly or indirectly increase the supply of dietary protein for human consumption. According to Mbhele, Mnisi, and Mlambo, (2019) , there is no information on the use of insect meals in Jumbo quail diets, probably because these birds are relatively new entrants into the commercial poultry production sector. Likewise, no studies have attempted to determine the optimal inclusion level of mopane worm meal (MWM) in Jumbo quail diets.…”