Determination of True Metabolizable Energy Corrected for Nitrogen (TMEn) of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) and Nutrient Digestibility and Nitrogen Utilization of Diets Containing Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Protein Source for Korat Chickens
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn) of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and to evaluate the effects of incorporating BSFL as a protein source on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization in Korat chickens. The experiment was divided into two parts. In part 1, the TMEn of BSFL was evaluated using 20 mixed-sex Korat chickens (9 weeks old). The birds were divided into 2 groups: a control group (fasted) and a treatment group (force-fed 15 g BSFL per bird). Based on excreta collection and calculation, BSFL had a TMEn value of 3,667 kcal/Kg (DM). In part 2, 35 mixed-sex Korat chickens (6 weeks old) were randomly distributed to 5 treatment groups in a CRD, a control diet and diets containing BSFL at 5, 10, 15, and 20%. The results showed that BSFL could be used as a protein source at inclusion levels up to 20% without negative effects on dry matter, ash, organic matter, and fat digestibility, as well as nitrogen utilization (P>0.05). Moreover, inclusion of BSFL at 15% significantly improved nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization compared to the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, BSFL has a TMEn value of 3,667 kcal/Kg (DM) and can be incorporated as a protein source in Korat chicken diets up to 20% without adverse effects on nutrient digestibility and utilization. However, further studies are recommended to evaluate the effects of BSFL on growth performance and long-term animal health.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
King Mongkut's Agricultural Journal
References
Abduh, M. Y., Jamilah, M., Istiandari, P., Manurung, S., & Manurung, R. (2017). Bioconversion of rubber seeds to produce protein and oil-rich biomass using black soldier fly larva assisted by microbes. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 5(4), 591–597.
Abduh, M. Y., Nadia, M. H., Manurung, R., & Putra, R. E. (2018). Factors affecting the bioconversion of Philippine tung seed by black soldier fly larvae for the production of protein and oil-rich biomass. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 21(1), 836–842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2018.06.007.
Alexandratos, N., & Bruinsma, J. (2012). World Agriculture Towards 2030/2050: The 2012 Revision. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Andoh, M., Ueno, T., & Kawasaki, K. (2018). Tissue-dependent induction of antimicrobial peptide genes after body wall injury in house fly (Musca domestica) larvae. Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, 12(6), 355–362. https://doi.org/10.5582/ddt.2018.01063.
Arango Gutiérrez, G. P. (2005). Aportes nutricionales de la biomasa de Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) enla cría de pollos de engorde. Master's Thesis. Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
Association of Official Analytical Chemists. (1990). Official Methods of Analysis. 15th Ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
Association of Official Analytical Chemists. (2006). Official Methods of Analysis. 18th Ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
Attivi, K., Agboka, K., Mlaga, G. K., Oke, O. E., Teteh, A., Onagbesan, O., & Tona, K. (2020). Effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens) maggots meal as a substitute for fish meal on growth performance, biochemical parameters and digestibility of broiler chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 19(2), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2020.75.80.
Auza, F. A., Purwanti, S., Syamsu, J. A., Natsir, A., Badaruddin, R., Zulkarnain, D., & Munadi, L. O. M. (2023). Effects of using black soldier fly larvae meal (Hermetia illucens L) as a source of protein on boosting performance, carcass quality, and nutrient digestibility of village chicken. Journal of Animal Health and Production, 11(2), 193–198. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2023/11.2.193.198.
Baker, K. M., Utterback, P. L., Parsons, C. M., & Stein, H. H. (2011). Nutritional value of soybean meal produced from conventional, high-protein, or low-oligosaccharide varieties of soybeans and fed to broiler chicks. Poultry Science, 90(2), 390–395. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2010-00978.
Bertechini, A. G., Kato, R. K., Freitas, L. F. V. B. D., Castro, R. T. D. C., & Mazzuco, H. (2019). Metabolizable energy values of soybean meals and soybean oil for broilers at different ages. Acta Scientiarum Animal Sciences, 41(1), 44540 https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v41i1.44540.
Biasato, I., Ferrocino, I., Dabbou, S., Evangelista, R., Gai, F., Gasco, L., Cocolin, L., Capucchio, M. T., & Schiavone, A. (2020). Black soldier fly and gut health in broiler chickens: insights into the relationship between cecal microbiota and intestinal mucin composition. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 11(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-019-0413-y.
Bovera, F., Loponte, R., Marono, S., Piccolo, G., Parisi, G., Iaconisi, V., Gasco, L., & Nizza, A. (2016). Use of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal as protein source in broiler diet: effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass and meat traits. Journal of Animal Science, 94(2), 639–647. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2015-9201.
Chi, X., Ding, X., Peng, X., Li, X., & Fang, J. (2017). Effects of chitosan oligosaccharides supplementation on the cell cycle of immune organs in broilers. Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 23(6), 1003–1006. https://doi.org/10.9775/kvfd.2017.17997.
Chobanova, S., Karkelanov, N., Mansbridge, S. C., Whiting, I. M., Simic, A., Rose, S. P., & Pirgozliev, V. R. (2023). Defatted black soldier fly larvae meal as an alternative to soybean meal for broiler chickens. Poultry, 2(3), 430–441. https://doi.org/10.3390/poultry2030032.
Chu, X., Li, M., Wang, G., Wang, K., Shang, R., Wang, Z., & Li, L. (2020). Evaluation of the low inclusion of full-fatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal for layer chickens: Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut health. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7(1), 585843. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.585843.
Cockcroft, B. L. (2018). An Evaluation of Defatted Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Larvae as a Protein Source for Broiler Chicken Diets. Master's Thesis. Stellenbosch University.
Cristobal, M., Utterback, P. L., Stein, H. H., & Parsons, C. M. (2025). True metabolizable energy, standardized amino acid digestibility, and digestibility of phosphorus in soybean expellers produced from conventional or high-oil varieties of soybeans fed to chickens. Poultry Science, 104(9), 105386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.105386.
Cullere, M., Schiavone, A., Dabbou, S., Gasco, L., & Dalle Zotte, A. (2019). Meat quality and sensory traits of finisher broiler chickens fed with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae fat as alternative fat source. Animals, 9(4), 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9040140.
Cullere, M., Tasoniero, G., Giaccone, V., Miotti-Scapin, R., Claeys, E., De Smet, S., & Dalle Zotte, A. (2016). Black soldier fly as dietary protein source for broiler quails: apparent digestibility, excreta microbial load, feed choice, performance, carcass and meat traits. Animal, 10(12), 1923–1930. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731116001270.
Dang, X. L., Wang, Y. S., Huang, Y. D., Yu, X. Q., & Zhang, W. Q. (2010). Purification And Characterization of An Antimicrobial Peptide, Insect Defensin, From Immunized House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 47(6), 1141–1145. https://doi.org/10.1603/ME10016.
De Marco, M., Martinez, S., Hernandez, F., Madrid, J., Gai, F., Rotolo, L., Belforti, M., Bergero, D., Katz, H., Dabbou, S., Kovitvadhi, A., Zoccarato, I., Gasco, L., & Schiavone, A. (2015). Nutritional value of two insect larval meals (Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens) for broiler chickens: Apparent nutrient digestibility, apparent ileal amino acid digestibility and apparent metabolizable energy. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 209(1), 211–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2015.08.006.
de Souza Vilela, J., Andronicos, N. M., Kolakshyapati, M., Hilliar, M., Sibanda, T. Z., Andrew, N. R., Swick, R. A., Wilkinson, S., & Ruhnke, I. (2021). Black soldier fly larvae in broiler diets improve broiler performance and modulate the immune system. Animal Nutrition, 7(3), 695–706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2020.08.014.
Deng, X., Li, X., Liu, P., Yuan, S., Zang, J., Li, S., & Piao, X. (2008). Effect of chito-oligosaccharide supplementation on immunity in broiler chickens. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 21(11), 1651–1658. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2008.80056.
Dozier III, W. A., Kerr, B. J., Corzo, A., Kidd, M. T., Weber, T. E., & Bregendahl, K. (2008). Apparent metabolizable energy of glycerin for broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 87(2), 317–322. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2007-00309.
Dozier, W. A., & Hess, J. B. (2011). Soybean Meal Quality and Analytical Techniques. InTech.
Ellawidana, E. W. D. M., Mutucumarana, R. K., Ruwandeepika, H. A. D., & Magamage, M. P. S. (2023). Nutritional composition and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) full-fat meal for broiler chickens. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 11(10), 1825–1833. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v11i10.1825-1833.5992.
Feedipedia. (2020). Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal. Retrieved from: https://www.feedipedia.org/node/16388.
Gasco, L., Finke, M., & Van Huis, A. (2018). Can diets containing insects promote animal health?. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 4(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2018.x001.
Ghanem, A., Ghaly, A. E., & Chaulk, M. (2004). Effect of shrimp processing procedures on the quality and quantity of extracted chitin from the shells of northern shrimp Pandalus borealis. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology, 12(4), 63–79. https://doi.org/10.1300/J030v12n04_05.
Herrero, M., & Thornton, P. K. (2013). Livestock and global change: emerging issues for sustainable food systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(52), 20878–20881. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1321844111.
Józefiak, D., Józefiak, A., Kierończyk, B., Rawski, M., Świątkiewicz, S., Długosz, J., & Engberg, R. M. (2016). Insects – A Natural Nutrient Source for Poultry – A Review. Annals of Animal Science, 16(2), 297–313. https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2016-0010.
Kaya, M., Erdogan, S., Mol, A., & Baran, T. (2015). Comparison of chitin structures isolated from seven Orthoptera species. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 72(1), 797–805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.09.034.
Khempaka, S., Chitsatchapong, C., & Molee, W. (2011). Effect of chitin and protein constituents in shrimp head meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial populations, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia production in broilers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 20(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3382/japr.2010-00162.
Kim, S. A., & Rhee, M. S. (2013). Marked synergistic bactericidal effects and mode of action of medium-chain fatty acids in combination with organic acids against Escherichia coli O157: H7. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 79(21), 6552–6560. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02164-13.
Klasing, K. C. (2007). Nutrition and the immune system. British Poultry Science, 48(5), 525–537. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071660701671336.
Lee, C. G., Da Silva, C. A., Lee, J. Y., Hartl, D., & Elias, J. A. (2008). Chitin regulation of immune responses: an old molecule with new roles. Current Opinion in Immunology, 20(6), 684–689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coi.2008.10.002.
Li, X. J., Piao, X. S., Kim, S. W., Liu, P., Wang, L., Shen, Y. B., Jung, S. C., & Lee, H. S. (2007). Effects of Chito-Oligosaccharide Supplementation on Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Serum Composition in Broiler Chickens. Poultry Science, 86(6), 1107–1114. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/86.6.1107.
Longvah, T., Mangthya, K., & Ramulu, P. (2011). Nutrient composition and protein quality evaluation of eri silkworm (Samia ricinii) prepupae and pupae. Food Chemistry, 128(2), 400–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.03.041.
Maliwan, P. (2016). Energy and Protein Requirements of Korat Chickens from 0 to 12 Weeks of Age. Doctoral Thesis. Suranaree University of Technology.
Marono, S., Piccolo, G., Loponte, R., Meo, C. D., Attia, Y. A., Nizza, A., & Bovera, F. (2015). In vitro crude protein digestibility of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens insect meals and its correlation with chemical composition traits. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 14(3), 338–343. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2015.3889.
Matin, N., Utterback, P., & Parsons, C. M. (2021). True metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility in black soldier fly larvae meals, cricket meal, and mealworms using a precision-fed rooster assay. Poultry Science, 100(7), 101146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101146.
Muzzarelli, R. A. A. (1977). Chitin. Pergamon Press.
National Research Council. (1994). Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 9th Ed. National Academy Press.
Nguyen, T. T., Tomberlin, J. K., & Vanlaerhoven, S. (2015). Ability of black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae to recycle food waste. Environmental Entomology, 44(2), 406–410. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvv002.
Park, S. I., Kim, J. W., & Yoe, S. M. (2015). Purification and characterization of a novel antibacterial peptide from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 52(1), 98–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2015.04.018.
Parsons, C. M., Potter, L. M., & Bliss, B. A. (1982). True Metabolizable Energy Corrected to Nitrogen Equilibrium. Poultry Science, 61(11), 2241–2246. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0612241.
Ravindran, V., Abdollahi, M. R., & Bootwalla, S. M. (2014). Nutrient analysis, metabolizable energy, and digestible amino acids of soybean meals of different origins for broilers. Poultry Science, 93(10), 2567–2577. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2014-04068.
Razdan, A., & Pettersson, D. (1994). Effect of chitin and chitosan on nutrient digestibility and plasma lipid concentrations in broiler chickens. British Journal of Nutrition, 72(2), 277–288. https://doi.org/10.1079/bjn19940029.
Rinaudo, M. (2006). Chitin and chitosan: properties and applications. Progress in Polymer Science, 31(7), 603–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2006.06.001.
Schiavone, A., De Marco, M., Martínez, S., Dabbou, S., Renna, M., Madrid, J., Hernandez, F., Rotolo, L., Costa, P., Gai, F., & Gasco, L. (2017). Nutritional value of a partially defatted and a highly defatted black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) meal for broiler chickens: apparent nutrient digestibility, apparent metabolizable energy and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 8(5), 897–905. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-017-0181-5.
Shahidi, F., & Abuzaytoun, R. (2005). Chitin, chitosan, and co-products: chemistry, production, applications, and health effects. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 49(1), 93–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1043-4526(05)49003-8.
Sheppard, D. C., Tomberlin, J. K., Joyce, J. A., Kiser, B. C., & Sumner, S. M. (2002). Rearing methods for the black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 39(4), 695–698. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585-39.4.695.
Sibbald, I. R. (1976). A bioassay for true metabolizable energy in feedingstuffs. Poultry Science, 55(1), 303–308. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0550303.
Skrivanova, E., Marounek, M., Benda, V., & Brezina, P. (2006). Susceptibility of Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Clostridium perfringens to organic acids and monolaurin. Veterinarni Medicina, 51(3), 81–88. https://doi.org/10.17221/5524-vetmed
Spranghers, T., Ottoboni, M., Klootwijk, C., Ovyn, A., Deboosere, S., Meulenaer, B. D., Michiels, J., Eeckhout, M., Clercq, P. D., & Smet, S. D. (2017). Nutritional composition of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae reared on different organic waste substrates. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 97(8), 2594–2600. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8081.
SPSS Inc. (2007). SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Retrieved from: http://www.unimuenster.de/imperia/md/content/ziv/service/software/spss/handbuecher/englisch/spss_brief_guide_16.0.pdf.
Suzuki, M., Fujimoto, W., Goto, M., Morimatsu, M., Syuto, B., & Iwanaga, T. (2002). Cellular expression of gut chitinase mRNA in the gastrointestinal tract of mice and chickens. Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry, 50(8), 1081–1089. https://doi.org/10.1177/002215540205000810.
Tabata, E., Kashimura, A., Wakita, S., Ohno, M., Sakaguchi, M., Sugahara, Y., Kino, Y., Matoska, V., Bauer, P. O., & Oyama, F. (2017). Gastric and intestinal proteases resistance of chicken acidic chitinase nominates chitin-containing organisms for alternative whole edible diets for poultry. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 6662. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-07146-3.
Tomberlin, J. K., & Sheppard, D. C. (2001). Lekking behavior of the black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Florida Entomologist, 84(4), 729–730. https://doi.org/10.2307/3496413.
Uushona, T. (2015). Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Pre-pupae as a Protein Source for Broiler Production. Master's Thesis. Stellenbosch University.
Van der Heide, M. E., Nørgaard, J. V., & Engberg, R. M. (2021). Performance, nutrient digestibility and selected gut health parameters of broilers fed with black soldier fly, lesser mealworm and yellow mealworm. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 7(6), 1011–1022. https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2020.0150.
Van Huis, A. (2018). Insects as Human Food. Academic Press.
Van Huis, A., & Oonincx, D. G. A. B. (2017). The environmental sustainability of insects as food and feed - A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 37(5), 43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-017-0452-8.
Veldkamp, T., Van Duinkerken, G., Van Huis, A., Lakemond, C. M. M., Ottevanger, E., Bosch, G., & Van Boekel, M. A. J. S. (2012). Insects as a Sustainable Feed Ingredient in Pig and Poultry Diets – A Feasibility Study. Wageningen UR Livestock Research. Retrieved from: https://edepot.wur.nl/234247.
Vidanarachchi, J. K., Kurukulasuriya, M. S., & Kim, S. K. (2010). Chitin, Chitosan and Their Oligosaccharides in Food Industry. CRC Press.
Woods, M. J., Cullere, M., Van Emmenes, L., Vincenzi, S., Pieterse, E., Hoffman, L. C., & Zotte, A. D. (2019). Hermetia illucens larvae reared on different substrates in broiler quail diets: Effect on apparent digestibility, feed-choice and growth performance. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 5(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.3920/JIFF2018.0027.
Yulianti, D. L., Sjofjan, O., Firmansyah, A., Ahzami, A., & Aini, B. W. R. (2024). Effect of black soldier fly larva meal on energy, protein digestibility, performance, and carcass quality in local crossbred chickens. Jurnal Ilmu Peternakan Terapan, 8(1), 46–56.
Zhang, J., Zheng, L., Jin, P., Zhang, D., & Yu, Z. (2014). Kitchen waste converted by black soldier fly and partly substituting soymeal in chicken feed. In 1st International Conference Insects to Feed the World, pp. 152. Wageningen University and Research Centre and Food and Agriculture Organization.
Zheng, L., Hou, Y., Li, W., Yang, S., Li, Q., & Yu, Z. (2012). Biodiesel production from rice straw and restaurant waste employing black soldier fly assisted by microbes. Energy, 47(1), 225–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2012.09.006.
