Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal in Diet for Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum: Digestibility, Growth Performance and Economic Analysis of Feeds

Abstract

Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae is a prominent ingredient in aquafeeds due to its high protein and energy contents. This study evaluated the digestibility of full-fat BSF larvae meal (FF-BSFL) and its inclusion in diets for tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. The apparent digestibility coefficient of FF-BSFL for protein and energy was around of 88%, corresponding to 33.55% and 21.61 MJ kg−1 of digestible protein and energy, respectively. For the feeding trial, tambaqui juveniles (53.23 ± 1.07 g) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design (n = 4; 150 L tanks; 10 fish per tank). Fish were fed diets including 0%, 5.25%, 10.50%, and 15.75% FF-BSFL to apparent satiation for 60 days. Fish fed 10.50% FF-BSFL dietary inclusion showed higher weight gain, feed intake, final biomass, and relative growth rate. The 10.50% FF-BSFL diet presented the highest index of economic profitability. Weight gain fitted a third-degree equation and the optimum FF-BSFL inclusion level was estimated at 11.6%. However, FF-BSFL dietary inclusion up to 15.75% did not impair growth fish performance. FF-BSFL seems to be a promising source of protein and energy for omnivorous fish aquafeed.

Future opportunities for products derived from black soldier fly (BSF) treatment as animal feed and fertilizer - A systematic review

“…The defatted BSFL meal (D-BSFL) is produced by partial or total fat extraction using pressing or organic solvents, and the resulting defatted meal is then posteriorly dried and ground. D-BSFL has around 60% protein and 10-12% lipid content (Barroso et al, 2014;Monteiro dos Santos et al, 2023). The full-fat BSFL (FF-BSFL) meal is easy to produce by drying and posteriorly grinding.…”

Prospects of rearing selected southern African swarming insects for animal feed: a review on insect farming and the economic value of edible insects

“…Resulted in a higher benefit − cost ratio with better return on investment compared to CPS [56] Yellow mealworms Broilers 4-12% supplementation The incremental levels of insect meal resulted in increased costs of poultry diets with reduced gross margins [57] Black soldier fly larvae Layers 25 and 100% Resulted in a positive benefit − cost ratio and return on investment. Hence, the inclusion levels were most suitable and cost-effective [13] Full fat black soldier fly larvae Fish 10.50% inclusion The inclusion level had the highest index of economic profitability [14] Defatted black soldier fly larvae Fish Up to 100% replacement of fishmeal Increased economic efficiency [58] Black soldier fly larvae Fish 75% replacement of fishmeal Significantly reduced feed costs and resulted in higher economic returns [59] Black soldier fly larvae Pigs Up to 100% replacement of fishmeal Insect meal inclusion had the same benefit − cost ratio and return on investment compared to fishmeal as a CPS in pig diets [60] Black soldier fly larvae -5 to 50% replacement of fish meal and soybean meal Increased economic benefits [29] [12] companies or farms require expensive equipment such as oil extraction machines, incubators, proper storage, and special diets for successful rearing [17,37].…”

“…According to Fig. 1, black soldier fly larvae are currently the most expensive insects in $ per kg although they are currently the most preferred insects as feed for animals [14]. This may have a significant influence on the total costs of incorporating various insect meals in animal diets regardless of their nutritional and environmental benefits.…”

“…These insects are grown mainly on food substrates, such as mixed organic waste, food waste from shops and markets, industrial food waste and commercial animal feed [12]. Moreover, black soldier fly larvae is considered as the topmost farmed and studied insect for use as animal feed, mainly for poultry, fish and pets [9][10][11][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

A Sustainable Diet for Tambaqui Farming in the Amazon: Growth Performance, Hematological Parameters, Whole-Body Composition and Fillet Color

“…Our previous research has shown that tambaqui can be fed with full-fat BSFL to a replacement level of 50% of the commercial feed [15], and the full-fat or defatted BSFL can be added up to 15.75% [16] or up to 30%, respectively, in extruded feed without compromising tambaqui growth performance [17]. These studies were carried out with BSFL as a commercial feed substitute or as an ingredient in regular fish feed formulations, using ingredients such as soybean, corn, and wheat middlings.…”