Nutritional potential and gut microbiota of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae in poultry feed
(2024)
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- Abstract
- The rapid growth of the global population presents significant challenges in waste management and food production, necessitating innovative solutions to ensure sustainability and food security. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) offer a promising approach by converting organic waste into nutrient-rich protein suitable for animal feed. This study investigates the nutritional potential of BSFL as a feed ingredient for poultry. Experiments were conducted using combinations of human food waste (fruits/vegetables and potato scraps) and livestock forage under controlled conditions to assess larval biomass, mortality rates, bioconversion efficiency, and nutritional composition. Additionally, local food waste substrates such as banana, sweet potato, and rice bran were tested in Ngaoundere, Cameroon, in different proportions over various rearing periods to evaluate their impact on BSFL growth performance. A Survey was carried out among poultry farmers to assess their acceptance of insect-based feed. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was utilized to analyze the bacterial diversity and richness in the midgut and hindgut of larvae, providing insights into the microbiota’s role in bioconversion efficiency and larval health. The results demonstrated that the optimal feed for BSFL was the mixture of the three substrates, yielding the highest larval biomass, lowest mortality rate, and highest bioconversion efficiency highlighting the importance of balanced nutrient supply in substrate mixtures. Nutritional analysis showed differences in crude protein, fat content, and sugar levels among the substrates and larvae, with fruit/vegetable waste and potato scraps leading to higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while forage resulted in higher saturated fatty acids. The surveys indicated significant openness to BSFL-derived feed among poultry farmers, with 76% of breeders and 100% of feed sellers willing to use it if cost-effective and beneficial for poultry health. The analysis of the gut microbiota revealed significant variations based on diet composition. The highest bacterial richness was observed in larvae fed on forage, with predominant bacterial phyla including Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the midgut, and Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in the hindgut. These findings highlight the critical role of diet in shaping the gut microbiota and its subsequent impact on larval health and bioconversion efficiency. The findings support the viability of BSFL as a sustainable and nutritious alternative feed ingredient for poultry. The integration of BSFL into poultry diets can contribute to more sustainable livestock production systems by reducing dependency on conventional protein sources and promoting waste recycling.
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Eke Tanchou, M. L. (2024). Nutritional potential and gut microbiota of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae in poultry feed. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/239816