NL Journal of Veterinary and Animal Nutrition

Introduction

The world’s rapidly expanding population has caused a surge in demand for protein. This demand presents significant challenges to the animal feed industry [1]. First, there is a shortage of traditional protein sources for animal feed. Second, conventional protein sources come with their own set of sustainability and environmental challenges. This has led to a search for alternative protein sources [2,3]. The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), scientifically known as Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), are a potential solution to the challenges of a growing population and a shortage of protein sources because they offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional animal feed [4,5,6]. Several research articles highlight the potential of BSFL to efficiently convert organic waste into high-quality protein [3,6]. This ability makes them an ideal candidate for upcycling food waste and agricultural byproducts, diverting these materials from landfills and transforming them into valuable feed ingredients [7]. BSFL farming has a low environmental footprint compared to traditional protein sources [8]. Their production requires significantly less land, water, and energy [7,8]. BSFL have a high protein content, ranging from 37% to 63% dry matter, and is rich in essential amino acids necessary for muscle development, growth, and eggshell formation in poultry [9,10]. In addition, BSFL contains a significant amount of fat (7% to 35%), composed mainly of saturated fatty acids like lauric acid (C12:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0) [11,12]. Unsaturated fatty acids, like palmitoleic (C16:1) and linoleic (C18:2) acids, are also present in BSFL [13]. Furthermore, the larvae are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, vital for various physiological functions in poultry [14]. BSFL contain antimicrobial and immunomodulatory compounds like lauric acid, chitin, and antimicrobial peptides.

These compounds can kill both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, improving poultry health and productivity [15,16,17]. Lauric acid, a major component of BSFL fat, exhibits antimicrobial properties and inhibits the growth of Clostridium perfringens, a bacterium responsible for necrotic enteritis in poultry [16,17]. Other medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in BSFL fat also possess significant antibacterial activity [18]. BSFL and their byproducts are believed to have prebiotic properties due to their chitin and MCFA content [18,19]. Feeding BSFL has been linked to improved non-specific immunity and a more favourable intestinal microbiota composition [20]. However, the nutritional composition of BSFL is influenced by the rearing substrate, which impacts the overall nutritional value of poultry [2,10,21].

Impact of BSFL Inclusion in Poultry Diets Growth Performance

Studies show varying results on the impact of BSFL inclusion on broiler chickens’ growth performance. Some studies show that replacing conventional protein sources with BSFL linearly increased daily feed intake and reduced live weight and average daily gain [22]. Other studies have demonstrated improved growth performance with increased body weight gain and better feed conversion ratio when diets contained BSFL at levels ranging from 10% to 20% [20,23,24]. However, inclusion levels above 25% often negatively impacted growth performance due to the high chitin content in BSFL meal, interfering with crude protein digestibility [20,25,26]. Complete substitution of fish meal with BSFL meal also reduced nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens [26].

Digestibility

The digestibility of BSFL varies depending on the rearing substrate and processing methods [21,27]. Defatted BSFL meals can be effectively utilized in broiler diets, providing a valuable source of energy and amino acids [28]. Partially defatted BSFL meals have shown higher digestibility and energy values than highly defatted meals [28]. In layer chickens, both mechanical pressing and chemical extraction defatting methods did not adversely affect metabolic energy and nutrient digestibility [29]. However, pressed BSFL demonstrated better digestibility of crude fat and total energy [29].

Gut Health

BSFL inclusion has shown positive impacts on gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria growth, such as Roseburia [23]. BSFL fat reduced potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium and Corynebacterium [30]. Additionally, BSFL protein has been shown to suppress the growth of Clostridium perfringens in vitro [31]. The chitin and medium-chain fatty acids in BSFL are believed to enhance gut and immune health in broiler chickens through prebiotic and antimicrobial properties [32]. In layer chickens, replacing soybean meal with BSFL meal altered the cecal microbiota composition, increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, acetate, and propionate [33]. These SCFAs provide numerous benefits to the host and exhibit antimicrobial activity [34]. It is important to note that the optimal inclusion rate of BSFL in poultry diets is still under investigation, with varying results across studies. Factors such as insect developmental stages, nutritive value, and bird species can influence the outcomes. Further research is necessary to determine the long-term impacts of BSFL inclusion on poultry health and productivity, as well as the ideal inclusion rates and effects of different rearing conditions.

Conclusion

While studies have shown promising results, the impact of BSFL inclusion on poultry growth performance can vary depending on factors such as inclusion levels, rearing substrate, and processing methods. High inclusion levels (above 25%) can negatively impact growth performance due to the high chitin content, which can interfere with protein digestibility. However, appropriate inclusion levels of BSFL, especially defatted meals, can enhance nutrient digestibility and provide valuable energy and amino acids. Furthermore, BSFL inclusion has been linked to improved gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria growth and reducing pathogenic bacteria. This positive impact on gut health can be attributed to the prebiotic properties of chitin and medium-chain fatty acids present in BSFL. Further research is needed to optimize BSFL inclusion rates and understand the long-term impacts on poultry health and productivity.

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