Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, L.) larvae meal improves growth performance, feed efficiency and economic returns of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) fry

Abstract

Insects have been proposed as potential alternative animal protein sources to replace fishmeal (FM), which is expensive and has limited availability for fish feed formulation.However, studies on the effects of replacing FM with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSF-L) on growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry, water quality and economic benefits are currently limited. This study determined the effects of replacing 100% FM, 75% FM, 50% FM, 25% FM and 0% FM with cheap BSF-L meal, hereafter referred to as BSF-L0, BSF-L25, BSF-L50, BSF-L75 and BSF-L100 diets, respectively for rearing all-male Nile tilapia fry produced by YY technology. The study further determined the optimum percentage of BSF-L meal for maximum growth of Nile tilapia fry. A total of 2400 visually healthy Nile tilapia fry weighing 0.001 g were randomly stocked into 20 plastic tanks (120 fry per tank, four replicates per treatment) and fed the BSF-L diets for 12 weeks. The BSF-L75 diet increased significantly specific growth rate, total weight gain, Zihler's index of fry and nitrate in the culture water but reduced feed conversion ratio of diet and total suspended solids in the culture water (p < 0.05). Feeding the Nile tilapia fry with BSF-L50 diet increased significantly hepatosomatic index (p < 0.05). The diets with BSF-L75 and BSF-L100 reduced significantly the incidence cost by 31.97% and 28.77% (p < 0.05), and increased profit index by 3.97 and 3.44%, respectively. The optimum percentage of BSF-L inclusion required for maximum growth performance of Nile tilapia fry was estimated as 81% to 84% based on polynomial analysis. Taken together, feeding Nile tilapia fry with diets containing 81% to 84% BSF-L meal improved growth performance. The BSF-L75 diet enhanced feed efficiency and had no deleterious effect on the liver and intestines. Meanwhile, it improved nitrate concentration for increased natural productivity. Incorporating 75% BSF-L meal in diets for Nile tilapia fry reduced 30% of feed cost leading to 4% higher economic returns.

Fish seed and feed value chains analysis and their critical factors for aquaculture development in Tanzania

“…For the feed value chain, we suggest reducing the high price of ingredients and commercial fish feeds by forging a working collaboration between industrial, commercial fish feed producers, and researchers to develop locally and affordable protein sources such as black soldier fly larvae (Limbu et al., 2022) and algae (Ahmad et al., 2022; Yossa et al., 2021) to replace expensive and limited available fishmeal in feed formulations and production. We recommend the government to continue promoting fish farming in order to build a critical mass for fish farmers to justify investment in large commercial feed plants.…”

Enhancing amino acid productivity and profile in black soldier fly larvae through NAT transporter suppression in the excretion system

“…A considerable proportion of fishmeal is consumed by the aquaculture industry, so the substitution of fishmeal with BSF-based meal may help establish a sustainable aquaculture system, but careful evaluation is needed, as the effects of BSF-based meal may vary across fish species (Henry et al ., 2015; Weththasinghe et al ., 2022). Replacing fishmeal with BSF-based meal can decrease performance in some species, although adjusting the proportion of BSF-based meal can help minimize this negative effect (Henry et al ., 2015; Limbu et al ., 2022; Weththasinghe et al ., 2022). Growth of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) was not significantly affected at up to 13.2% BSFL meal in the feed (replacing 50% of fishmeal), but weight gain decreased at 26.4% BSFL meal (replacing 100% of fishmeal)(Dumas et al ., 2018).…”

Insect rearing on biowaste represents a competitive advantage for fish farming

“…Third, the overall quality of meat (fish and other animals as well) is reported to increase (protein, phosphorus and energy retention increased most notably) 149,150 . Improvements in the higher ratio of fish muscularity were reported in many species 113,151–159 . As for the fish fed with conventional fishmeal and BSFL, the histological examination did not indicate any changes 153 .…”

“…149,150 Improvements in the higher ratio of fish muscularity were reported in many species. 113,[151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159] As for the fish fed with conventional fishmeal and BSFL, the histological examination did not indicate any changes. 153 Parameters associated with BSFL-based feed also improve the taste of IFA, which sensory attributes (odour, taste, flavour and texture) were preferred by trained panellists in a blind taste test of fresh and cooked samples.…”