Evaluation of microwave-dried black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal as a dietary protein source in broiler chicken diets

Abstract

Here, the effect of microwave-dried black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (HILM) as a dietary protein source on the growth performance and health of broilers was evaluated. A total of 126 male broilers were randomly allocated to three treatments (six replicates of seven birds per group): control diet (CON) of corn and soybean meal and two experimental diets in which soybean meal was replaced with 25% (25HILM) or 50% (50HILM) HILM. The broilers were slaughtered at 35 d to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID), volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles, and length and weight of the small intestine. Blood samples were collected from 36 randomly selected birds (12 broilers per treatment) to determine serum parameters and haematological traits. Average daily gain, feed intake, and AID of protein were decreased (P<0.05) in the 50HILM group compared with those in the CON group. Dietary HILM increased (P<0.05) the relative length of the entire digestive tract and total VFAs in the caecal digesta. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was the lowest (P<0.01), but the triglyceride levels were the highest (P<0.05) in the 50HILM group. The serum phosphorus level was lower in both HILM diet-fed groups (P<0.01), whereas the creatine phosphokinase level was lower in the 50HILM group than in the CON group. In contrast, the 50HILM group showed higher (P<0.05) monocyte and red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation. In conclusion, dietary microwave-dried HILM positively influenced the VFA and cholesterol levels; however, growth performance was negatively affected by malnutrition caused by low protein digestibility in the 50HILM group. Microwave-dried HILM is a valuable ingredient for broiler diets, with up to 25% substitution showing no detrimental effects on growth performance and health. Further studies are needed to improve HILM digestibility.

Ентомофагія: Нове І Перспективне Джерело Білка Майбутнього Для Вирішення Продовольчої Та Кормової Безпеки

“…When considering insects as animal feed, they are an ideal alternative source, because the costs of producing meat, fish, and soybean meal as animal feed account for more than 70 % of the cost of the finished product in the production costs of livestock production. Considering the fact that insects have a relatively high content of nutrients, require smaller areas for cultivation, and are already part of the natural diet of pigs, poultry, and fish, including them in the feeding diet for growing broilers does not lead to a decrease in growth rates, and in some cases, even to the opposite -to an increase in the weight of chickens [47][48][49]. Aquaculture (breeding of fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals) is one of the fastest growing industries.…”

A Systematic Review and Metanalysis on the Use of Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor in Diets for Poultry

“…Figure 2 shows the ADFI from 0 to 200 g, with the HI or TM larvae meal inclusion ranging from 0 to 300 g/kg. A decrease in the ADFI can be seen with the increasing levels of HI meal in three manuscripts [ 19 , 22 , 24 ]. On the other hand, increasing inclusions of TM meal do not seem to change the ADFI.…”

“… Exploratory graphs with the effects of increasing dietary inclusions of Hermetia illucens or Tenebrio molitor larvae meal on the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 40 ]. …”

Introducing the special issue ‘Insects on the monogastric menu’

“…The effects of inclusion of yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) fed low or high deoxynivalenol-contaminated wheat in broiler diets were evaluated for broiler production performance, survival, and retention of dry matter and crude protein (Duhra et al, 2022). In two papers in this special issue the feeding value of BSF larvae products is evaluated in broiler chickens (Kim et al, 2022) and in laying hens (Heuel et al, 2022). Kim et al (2022) evaluated the apparent ileal nutrient digestibility of diets supplemented with different inclusion levels of BSF meal.…”

“…In two papers in this special issue the feeding value of BSF larvae products is evaluated in broiler chickens (Kim et al, 2022) and in laying hens (Heuel et al, 2022). Kim et al (2022) evaluated the apparent ileal nutrient digestibility of diets supplemented with different inclusion levels of BSF meal. Subsequently, the authors evaluated different inclusion levels of microwave-dried BSF larvae meal as replacement for soybean meal in broiler chicken diets on growth performance, intestinal length and weight, volatile fatty acids in caecal digesta and serum parameters and haematological traits as indicators for animal health.…”