Use of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal as protein source in broiler diet: Effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass and meat traits

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the effect of insect meal from larvae ( larvae meal [TML]) as complete replacement of soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass and meat traits of broilers. A total of eighty 30-d-old male Shaver brown broilers were homogenously divided into 2 groups (each consisting of 8 replicates of 5 birds). Up to 62 d of age, the groups were fed 2 isoproteic and isoenergetic diets differing for the ingredient used as the main protein source: the control group was fed a corn-SBM-based diet, whereas in the TML group, the SBM was completely replaced by TML. Broiler growth performance was measured during the trial. At 62 d of age, 2 broilers per replicate (16 per group) were slaughtered and apparent ileal digestibility coefficients and carcass and meat traits were determined. The use of TML as the main protein source in the broiler diet had no significant effect on most growth performance and carcass traits and chemical and physical properties of meat, the latter being important for marketing purposes. The feed conversion ratio in the entire experimental period (from 30 to 62 d) was improved in the TML group compared with the SBM group ( < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, and CP in broilers fed the SBM diet were greater ( < 0.01) than the other group. The full digestive system in broilers fed SBM had a lower ( < 0.05) absolute and relative weight than that of broilers fed TML. Also, the weight and the percentage of the spleen in the SBM group were lower ( < 0.05) than those in the TML group. The length of the entire intestine in the group fed TML was greater ( < 0.05) than the other group and the same happened when intestinal length was expressed as percentage of broiler BW ( < 0.05). Among the different intestinal tracts, the ileum and ceca of broilers fed TML had a greater ( < 0.05) length than that of broilers fed SBM. Also, ceca weight (as an absolute value or percentage on live weight) in broilers fed TML was greater ( < 0.05) than that of broilers fed SBM. Breast pH and cooking losses in broilers fed TML were greater ( < 0.05) than those of broilers fed SBM. Chemical characteristic of meat obtained from right breast of slaughtered broilers were unaffected by dietary treatments. larvae meal can be a suitable alternative protein source for growing broilers and also when used as principal protein contributor to the diet.

Black soldier fly as dietary protein source for broiler quails: apparent digestibility, excreta microbial load, feed choice, performance, carcass and meat traits

“…However, as handling and slaughtering procedures were exactly the same for all the quails of the present study, a causative agent is to be searched elsewhere. In literature, studies dealing with the effect of insect meals on meat quality traits are very scarce and our findings do not seem to confirm those in literature: when a T. molitor larvae meal was fed to chicken broilers, the pHu value and cooking loss of their breast fillets was higher than that of birds fed with the conventional diet based on soya bean, with no change in meat colour (Bovera et al, 2016).…”

Effect of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal on growth performance, in vivo nutrients digestibility, somatic and marketable indexes of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

“…In fish fed TM25 diet, VSI was not different from that of TM0, but the intestinal length was higher. This effect could be ascribed to the prebiotic effects of chitin that can increase the production of butyric volatile fatty acid in caeca (Khempaka et al, 2011;Bovera et al, 2016). Butyric acid is considered the prime enterocytes energy source (Bovera et al, 2010) and it is also necessary for the suitable development of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (Mroz, 2005).…”

“…In cuticle, chitin is linked to protein, reducing the apparent and true digestibility of nitrogen. It also has to be considered that the insect meal protein is reported (Bovera et al, 2016) to have a low content in essential aminoacids (methionine, cystine, lysine, tryptophan) and that the cuticle proteins present an aminoacid composition different from that of the whole insects (Finke, 2007). Based on these considerations, and considering that dietary protein fraction is the most important factor affecting fish growth (Garcia De La Serrana et al, 2012), the hypothesis is that the amount of essential aminoacids available for digestion was sufficient to sustain fish growth, also in the case of the TM50 diet.…”

Thyme oil (Thyme vulgaris L.) as a natural growth promoter for broiler chickens reared under hot climate

“…MOS, a yeast cell wall component, along with chitin, mannan and glucans are known as immunostimulants and have been used as a growth promoter in animal nutrition, as reviewed by Rodriguez et al (2003), Hooge (2004) and Bovera et al (2016). Prebiotics such as MOS are able to improve growth performance and the immune status of different animal species (Attia et al 2014a,b).…”