Potential of Egg Albumen as a Source of Amino Acids and Protein Supplement on the Production of Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

The mulberry silkworm is a monophagous insect that depends solely on mulberry leaves as its primary feeding source. Therefore, the quality of mulberry leaves and nutritive supplements are significant factors affecting silk production. This investigation was carried out to evaluate the potential of hen egg albumen as a protein and amino acid source impacting various biological and biochemical characters of mulberry silkworm. Larvae were reared on mulberry leaves enriched with different concentrations of hen egg albumen (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) from 4 th larval instar until the spinning stage (odd days). While hen egg albumen contains amino acids vital for silk production, excessive doses led to reduce the production due to an abundance of non-silk-producing amino acids or those not involved in silk structure, resulting in silk metabolism disorders. Larvae reared on leaves fortified with (10 %, 20%) concentrations showed improvements in all biological and biochemical parameters, with no significant differences observed between the two concentrations in cocoon criteria. However, 20% concentration treatment exhibited a significantly higher shell ratio percentage, 5 th larval weight, growth index, cocooning and pupation ratios. The results also showed that higher concentrations of hen egg albumen were significantly inversely related to cocoon production.