Insect lipid in fish nutrition: Recent knowledge and future application in aquaculture

Abstract

Insect lipid/oil is a by‐product of insect meal production. The quantity and nutritional quality of insect lipid varies with species, life stages, the kind of substrate used to raise the insects, as well as the extraction process. Insect lipid products have been successfully used in animal feeds as source of nutrients, notably energy and indispensable fatty acids. Further some insect lipid products are potential functional ingredients in feed formulations because of the existence of some functional compounds, for example, lauric acid and monolaurin in black solder fly larvae oil (BSFLO). To date, research on the effects of insect product inclusion in aquafeed mainly focused on insect meal as protein source rather than insect oil/lipid as a lipid source. Research to date indicates that insect lipids can replace traditional energy sources in fish nutrition without negatively affecting fish growth and feed utilization performance. By raising the amount of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish fillets, insect lipids can improve fillet quality. Insect lipids may also positively influence general health of fish by stimulating the immune system and manipulating the gut microbiota. As there is a crucial need for searching alternate lipid sources in aquafeed to extend limited global supplies of fish oil and due to the insect lipids content and its fatty acid quality, there is a pressing need to expand experimentation concerning their application in aquafeed to support sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry.

Enhancing Rearing of European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in Aquaponic Systems: Investigating the Effects of Enriched Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Prepupae Meal on Fish Welfare and Quality Traits

“…Furthermore, the gut health status and the absence of upregulation in immune response markers evidenced in the present study can also be related to a synergic cooperation of specific bioactive molecules present in the tested diets. In particular, lauric acid (C12), typically abundant in HPM fat fractions, and tocopherols and carotenoids (β-carotene and zeaxanthin), derived from spirulina, are well-known powerful molecules in preserving gut health status [ 37 , 77 ]. As expected, the only revealed change at gut level was an increase in Ab+ goblet cells abundance only in fish fed the HPM20 diet, possibly related to a higher lubrication of the intestine’s final tract related to the presence of undigested chitin [ 78 ].…”

The Role of Functional Feed Additives in Enhancing Aquaculture Sustainability

“…Although functional feed additive is beneficial to improving the growth performance, health, and overall immunity of the target species, it is not void of limitations. Functional feed additives contain specialized additives that may increase the feed cost and cost of production, making functional feeds more expensive than traditional feeds [154,155] Formulating an effective functional feed requires a thorough understanding of the nutritional requirements of the target species. Hence, incorporating functional additives, such as probiotics and prebiotics, may require fish nutrition and feed formulation expertise.…”

Effects of Dietary Plant Protein Replacement with Insect and Poultry By-Product Meals on the Liver Health and Serum Metabolites of Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) and Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

“…Among edible insect species, processed meals derived from the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens Diptera order) are also rich in protein, with a high biological value and an essential amino acid profile comparable to those of fish meal [16][17][18][19]. They also contain lipids and bioactive compounds that provide beneficial effects on fish health by stimulating the immune system and modulating the gut microbiota [20]. Deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids and some vitamins can be improved through the selection of high-quality feeding substrates [21].…”

“…The present study is part of a larger experiment, in which graded levels (10,20, or 40% protein basis) of poultry by-product and H. illucens meals, either alone or in combination, were included in a fish meal-free diet to replace plant protein-rich derivatives and to diminish the adverse physiological effects associated with the use of these latter ingredients. In this study, we specifically focused on the effects of diets with the highest level of substitution on the liver health status of sea bream and sea bass.…”