Agri-Food Side-Stream Inclusion in The Diet of Alphitobius Diaperinus. Part 2: Impact on Larvae Composition

Abstract

Insects are gaining interest as an alternative protein source for feed/food purposes. Although the lesser mealworm (LM) is commercially produced for human consumption, published data on its nutrient composition is scarce. This study reports on LM larvae reared on 18 different diets composed of side-streams to (1) determine the nutritional composition of the larvae and (2) study the effect of dietary changes on the larval nutrient composition. The LM larvae proved to be of good nutritional value with essential amino acids profiles comparable with that of beef and linoleic acid (C18:2) was the most dominant essential fatty acids in the larvae. The side-stream based diets varied on dry matter basis in protein (16–34%) and lipid content (2–19%). The nutrient content of the larvae reared on diets that supported good growth ranged between 37% and 49% of protein, 22% and 26% of lipid and 4% to 6% of chitin on dry matter basis. No significant correlations were identified between the larval protein or lipid content and that of the diet, but it was found between the diet nutrients and larval growth. Based on larval growth data and economic considerations, diets composed of wheat middlings with a 10–15% inclusion of rapeseed meal were identified as suitable feed for LM. Highest larval yields were obtained with diets containing 15–22% of proteins and 5–10% of lipids.

Rearing Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus Larvae on Seed Cleaning Process Byproducts

“…Similarly, maize stover has also been proposed as a suitable dietary component for T. molitor larvae [ 19 ]. In the case of A. diaperinus , studies on the dietary inclusion of organic waste materials are rather limited [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Alphitobius diaperinus larvae can grow successfully in diets composed by several side-stream materials, such as spent grains and beer yeast, bread and cookie remains, potato steam peelings, and maize distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), the diets with high percentage of yeast-derived protein being more favourable in terms of larval survival, speed of development and growth [ 24 ].…”

“…Alphitobius diaperinus larvae can grow successfully in diets composed by several side-stream materials, such as spent grains and beer yeast, bread and cookie remains, potato steam peelings, and maize distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), the diets with high percentage of yeast-derived protein being more favourable in terms of larval survival, speed of development and growth [ 24 ]. In the same context, diets containing wheat middlings and rapeseed meal were shown to support good larval growth and development [ 25 ], providing larvae with a good nutrient profile [ 26 ].…”

Nutritional Profiling and Preliminary Bioactivity Screening of Five Micro-Algae Strains Cultivated in Northwest Europe

“…Amino acid analysis was performed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) after acid hydrolysis with phenol-HCl (6 N, 23 h, 110 °C) according to ISO protocol 13903:2005. Amino acid separation was performed using a Dionex AminoPac PA-10 column (2 nm × 250 nm) and a previously detailed elution gradient [ 16 ]. Tryptophane was not analyzed due to its liability for acid degradation.…”

“…22 ± 1 17 ± 2 38 ± 1 34 ± 1 21 ± 5 Threonine (mg/g dm) 2 17 ± 0 10 ± 0 22 ± 1 22 ± 0 15 ± 2 Glycine (mg/g dm) 17 ± 0 12 ± 2 27 ± 1 24 ± 1 15 ± 4 Valine (mg/g dm) 2 25 ± 1 15 ± 3 27 ± 0 28 ± 1 14 ± 5 Serine (mg/g dm) 16 ± 0 12 ± 0 18 ± 1 19 ± 0 14 ± 1 Proline (mg/g dm) 16 ± 0 9 ± 0 33 ± 0 34 ± 0 14 ± 3 Isoleucine (mg/g dm) 2 13 ± 1 11 ± 0 19 ± 0 22 ± 1 9 ± 4 Leucine (mg/g dm) 2 28 ± 0 19 ± 0 41 ± 0 41 ± 1 19 ± 11 Methionine (mg/g dm) 2 2 ± 0 5 ± 1 8 ± 0 7 ± 1 3 ± 1 Histidine (mg/g dm) 2 6 ± 0 3 ± 0 11 ± 0 10 ± 0 4 ± 1 Phenylalanine (mg/g dm) 2 17 ± 0 10 ± 0 24 ± 0 23 ± 0 14 ± 4 Glutamate and glutamine (mg/g dm) 45 ± 6 24 ± 2 52 ± 1 50 ± 0 37 ± 4 Aspartate and asparagine (mg/g dm)…”

Gender identity and sexual experience affect mating behaviour and chemical profile in the lesser mealworm,Alphitobius diaperinus(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

“…Recently, some studies have addressed the identification of aggregation and alarm pheromones from A. diaperinus (5,38,39,41). Nevertheless, the identification of the pheromones alone does not warrant the success in controlling the A. diaperinus population since insect responses are heavily contextdependent (e.g., environmental factors (45)(46)(47), interspecific interaction (48,49), population origin (17,24,40,50). Furthermore, as most organisms followed physiological and behavioural changes to a 24-hour cycle (i.e., circadian pattern), circadian patterns of insect behaviour and particularly reproductive activity can affect the performance of semiochemicals and pheromones (51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56).…”