Effect of partial black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae meal replacement of fish meal in practical diets on the growth, digestive enzyme and related gene expression for rice field eel (Monopterus albus)

Replacement of Fish Meal by Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal: Effects on Growth, Haematology, and Skin Mucus Immunity of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

“…Fish nutritionists focus on the feeding strategies required for the optimal growth of Nile tilapia in particular due to its popularity as an affordable, nutritious, and cheap source of animal proteins [ 38 ]. The use of black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as a potential source of protein in tilapia diets has been abundantly investigated [ 7 , 22 , 24 , 39 ]. Concurrently, the results of the present study illustrate that fish fed up to 100% of the BSFLM inclusion level (total replacement of fish meal (FM)) had no adverse effects on the growth performance, somatic indices, and survival rate of Nile tilapia.…”

“…However, it is important to underline that the lowest p -value for the quadratic analysis is p = 0.052, slightly above the p < 0.05 limit considered "significant". The optimal BSFLM level is higher than in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) (12.5%) [ 39 ], hybrid tilapia (Nile × Mozambique, Oreocromis niloticus × O. mozambique ) (30%) [ 22 ], and rice field eel ( Monopterus albus ) (15.78%) [ 24 ]; however, it is lower than in European sea bass ( D. labrax ) and grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idellus ) (50%) [ 7 , 70 ] and Japanese seabass ( L. japonicus ) (64%) [ 21 ].…”

“…The lysozyme activity can act as a non-specific molecule that beneficially protects the fish from the infectious disease through the breakdown of 1,4 glycosidic bonds present in the peptidoglycan of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative cell walls [ 73 ]. The enhancement of serum lysozyme activity will help in the stimulation of the fish’s immune responses and may contribute positively to the fish’s resistance against the challenged pathogens [ 24 , 74 ]. The results displayed an improved lysozyme and peroxidase activities in the skin mucus of fish fed 4% and 6% BSFLM, which refers to the enhanced immunity of fish in these groups.…”

“…The partial or total replacement of dietary FM with BSFL has been successfully demonstrated in various fish species, such as: rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss [ 20 ]; Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus [ 21 ]; Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar [ 8 , 10 ]; European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax [ 7 ]; hybrid tilapia (Nile × Mozambique, Oreochromis niloticus × O. mozambique ) [ 22 ]; marron, Cherax cainii [ 23 ]; and rice field eel, Monopterus albus [ 24 ]. However, as far as we know, there is limited information regarding the effects of black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) on the growth, hematology, and skin mucus of Nile tilapia, which occupies the second highest position in the world in terms of production due to its high demand, rapid growth, and fair prices [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Partially Defatted Hermetia illucens Larva Meal in Diet of Eurasian Perch (Perca fluviatilis) Juveniles

“…Commercial H. illucens meal has an average protein content of 55% dry matter (DM) with lipid content ranging from 5% to 35% DM, depending on the defatting process applied during meal production. Research into its efficacy has thus far been contradictory: Similar or better growth performance to that of fish fed conventional protein sources (mainly FM or soybean meal) using commercial H. illucens meal at inclusion levels from 2.5% to 40% were obtained for Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) [ 15 , 16 ], European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax) [ 17 ], yellow catfish ( Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) [ 18 ] and rice field eel ( Monopterus albus) [ 19 ]. Conversely, other authors reported reduced acceptance and growth [ 20 , 21 ], with high levels of inclusion.…”