Compound diets formulation and Hermetia illucens larvae performance

The POULTRYNSECT Work Package 1 “Optimization of Hermetia illucens rearing protocols” aims to rear black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) for the poultry feeding trials in WP2. The WP is divided into four different tasks. The first two tasks concern to adjust the nutritional composition of the BSFL by testing different diet formulations for BSFL with by-products from the agri-food chain. This report joins the preliminary results obtained from the in vivo trials performed with Hermetia illucens (INAGRO) for deliverable 1.1 and 1.2. Raising BSFL from their neonate stage to larvae of a Harvestable size is not rocket science. However, to do this consistently on a feed composed of by-products from the agri-food chain with varying composition and properties, and meanwhile keeping feed conversion, larvae size, nutritional composition and harvestability of the final product consistent can be rather challenging. Potential feedstocks of different origin were collected and analysed for their macro nutritional content in order to make mixtures that are more or less in line with the requirements of BSFL as they are currently presumed optimal. Black soldier fly larvae can be reared on an array of different by-products from the agri-food chain as long as their nutritional needs are met to some extend and the physical properties of the feed are hospitable for the larvae. However, using a different diet might result in larvae with a different composition. Especially fat content seems to vary strongly between diets. Especially when the diet is rich in non-fibre carbohydrates the larvae seem to incorporate it into fat. For the poultry trials larvae of consistent quality will need to be reared over prolonged periods. Due to the inherent nature of agricultural by-products they are only available seasonally and often only for short periods. As for retailer waste, it is very variable in composition and also seasonally dependant. To have controlled conditions for the poultry feeding trials its seems therefore necessary to use a control feed for the larvae, preferably a feed that can be reproduced in other BSFL rearing facilities

Eggs or meat? Environmental impact and efficiency assessment of chicken protein production with potential of Hermetia illucens use in feed

This study presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing laying hen to broiler chicken production. Sustainability and protein conversion efficiency are considered. The protein-to-protein conversion was calculated per 1t of feed protein consumed by birds and per 1 kg of protein in end products for human consumption. Additionally, a part of the commercial feed was replaced by live black soldier fly larvae, reared on Gainesville diet, and fruit and vegetable waste (FVW). Results of the LCA showed significant differences in integrated impacts between different production systems and different chicken feeds but not between different insect feeds. The most environmentally friendly scenario is insect (FVW) fed broiler. In protein conversion efficiency (PCE) assessment, laying hen production achieved better PCE than broiler chicken when protein quality is considered. Main influencing factors on results were feed production, composition, and protein content. Due to many assumptions made, results should be viewed critically

Eggs or meat? Environmental impact and efficiency assessment of chicken protein production with potential of Hermetia illucens use in feed

This study presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing laying hen to broiler chicken production. Sustainability and protein conversion efficiency are considered. The protein-to-protein conversion was calculated per 1t of feed protein consumed by birds and per 1 kg of protein in end products for human consumption. Additionally, a part of the commercial feed was replaced by live black soldier fly larvae, reared on Gainesville diet, and fruit and vegetable waste (FVW). Results of the LCA showed significant differences in integrated impacts between different production systems and different chicken feeds but not between different insect feeds. The most environmentally friendly scenario is insect (FVW) fed broiler. In protein conversion efficiency (PCE) assessment, laying hen production achieved better PCE than broiler chicken when protein quality is considered. Main influencing factors on results were feed production, composition, and protein content. Due to many assumptions made, results should be viewed critically

Agronomic and environmental performance of Lemna minor cultivated on agricultural wastewater streams : a practical approach

This study investigated the potential of Lemna minor to valorise agricultural wastewater in protein-rich feed material in order to meet the growing demand for animal feed protein and reduce the excess of nutrients in certain European regions. For this purpose, three pilot-scale systems were monitored for 175 days under outdoor conditions in Flanders. The systems were fed with the effluent of aquaculture (pikeperch production—PP), a mixture of diluted pig manure wastewater (PM), and a synthetic medium (SM). PM showed the highest productivity (6.1 ± 2.5 g DW m−2 d−1) and N uptake (327 ± 107 mg N m−2 d−1). PP yielded a similar productivity and both wastewaters resulted in higher productivities than SM. Furthermore, all media showed similar P uptake rates (65–70 P m−2 d−1). Finally, duckweed had a beneficial amino acid composition for humans (essential amino acid index = 1.1), broilers and pigs. This study also showed that the growing medium had more influence on the productivity of duckweed than on its amino acid composition or protein content, with the latter being only slightly affected by the different media studied. Overall, these results demonstrate that duckweed can effectively remove nutrients from agriculture wastewaters while producing quality protein

Chicken: feed or insects, eggs or meat?

• Broiler production has slightly higher protein efficiency than egg production • Laying hen production achieved higher single score results than broiler production • The production of feed has by far the largest share of the environmental impact of the entire production • Decrease of environmental impact due to introduction of larva

Chicken: feed or insects, eggs or meat?

• Broiler production has slightly higher protein efficiency than egg production • Laying hen production achieved higher single score results than broiler production • The production of feed has by far the largest share of the environmental impact of the entire production • Decrease of environmental impact due to introduction of larva

Sensorial evaluation of breast of chicken reared in organic system and supplemented with live black soldier fly larvae

Live larvae fed to poultry has shown to provide good nutrients and bioactive compounds with positive effects on bird's health. However, trials on chicken reared for meat consumption are still scarce. A total of 240 Label naked neck (LNN) birds were reared from 21 to 82 days of age, and four experimental groups (10 birds/pen, 6 replicates/treatment) were considered according to the birds’ gender and larvae provision. Experimental groups were fed 10% supplementation of black soldier fly (BSF) live larvae based on the daily feed intake. Birds (12/diet, 2 birds/pen) were slaughtered according to the standard EU regulations. Following storage at 4°C for 24 h, breast fillets were excised, vacuum packaged and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Vacuum packed breasts were cooked in a water bath at 75°C for 45 min, then breast color and drip loss were measured. Sensory descriptive analysis was performed, in duplicate, by 11 trained judges, experts in sensory evaluation with a specific software for sensory data acquisition, (FIZZ Biosystèmes), using a nine points intensity scale. Results were elaborated by a statistical analysis using R software. Color measurement, drip loss percentage and sensorial profiles were analyzed through the ANOVA and post hoc test (Tukey’s HSD). No significant differences were found in mean percentages of drip loss while color measurement showed only differences based on chicken gender and only for the b* (yellowness) parameter that resulted higher in females. Concerning sensory evaluation, no significant differences were found. In conclusion, results highlighted that a dietary 10% supplementation of BSF live larvae did not affected sensorial quality of breast fillets of LNN chickens reared in an organic production system. The authors acknowledge the financial support for Poultrynsect project provided by transnational funding bodies under the Joint SUSFOOD2/CORE Organic Call 2019

Black soldier fly larvae used for environmental enrichment purposes: Can they affect the growth, slaughter performance, and blood chemistry of medium-growing chickens?

IntroductionThis research has been aimed at evaluating the effects of live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) on the growth, slaughtering performance, and blood parameters of medium-growing chickens.MethodsA total of 240, 28-day-old, Label Rouge Naked Neck chickens were allotted to four experimental groups, according to the gender (males-females) and to the absence (control group, C) or presence (larvae group, L) of a dietary supplementation with 10% live BSFL, on the basis of the expected average daily feed intake (ADFI) (6 replicates/diet, 10 chickens/replicate). The birds were weighed weekly, and the feed consumption was recorded to calculate the average live weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), average daily gain (ADG), and the ADFI. At 82 days of age, 2 birds/replicate (12 birds/diet) were selected and slaughtered. The blood samples were collected, and the carcass traits (carcass, breast, thigh, and organ weights and yields) were assessed.Results and discussionsOverall, the administered live BSFL did not impair the growth and slaughtering performance, or the blood traits, while the C females showed a better FCR than the treated ones (P < 0.05). The live BSFL consumption time was longer for the females than for the males (P < 0.001). The weight of the immune organs (spleen and bursa of Fabricius) increased as the live BSFL supplementation increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the provision of live BSFL reduced the gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT, U/l) activity content in the blood (P < 0.05). Finally, both the leukocytes (%) and the monocytes (%) were more abundant in the C groups than in the larvae ones (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In short, the supplementation of live BSFL can be used successfully as an environmental enrichment, without affecting the growth performance of male birds. Furthermore, the immune organ activity could be enhanced by the provision of live BSFL

Blood chemistry of medium-growing male and female chickens supplemented black soldier fly live larvae

Effects of live larvae provision on poultry chemical blood parameters have been poorly investigated. This study aims to evaluate the changes in blood chemistry parameters in medium-growing chickens supplemented black soldier fly (BSF) live larvae. Two hundred and forty 21d old sexed Label Naked Neck birds were divided into 4 experimental groups: females fed basal organic feed (BOF), males fed BOF, females fed BOF + 10% BSF live larvae supplementation based on the expected daily feed intake (DFI) and males fed BOF + 10% BSF live larvae supplementation based on the DFI (6 replicates/diet, 10 birds/replicate). Blood samples were collected at slaughter (82d old) from 2 birds/pen (12 birds/treatment). Serum samples were used for biochemical analysis. A compact liquid chemistry analyzer system (BT 1500 vet–Futurlab) was used to determine the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (U/I), aspartate aminotransferase (U/I), creatinine total proteins (mg/dl), uric acid (mg/dl), cholesterol (mg/dl), triglycerides (mg/dl), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT, U/I), phosphorus (mg/dl) and magnesium (mg/dl). Data were analyzed by GLMM (SPSS software, P<0.05). Overall, the blood parameters were not affected by the live larvae supplementation (P>0.05) in both sexes, thus being indicative of a good health status of the birds. Moreover, the GGT was detected in lower concentrations in the supplemented groups than in the control groups (P<0.05), suggesting a positive effect on the hepatic function. In conclusion, the live BSF larvae provision did not negatively affect the blood parameters of medium-growing chickens and could be beneficial for bird hepatic activity

Blood chemistry of medium-growing male and female chickens supplemented black soldier fly live larvae

Effects of live larvae provision on poultry chemical blood parameters have been poorly investigated. This study aims to evaluate the changes in blood chemistry parameters in medium-growing chickens supplemented black soldier fly (BSF) live larvae. Two hundred and forty 21d old sexed Label Naked Neck birds were divided into 4 experimental groups: females fed basal organic feed (BOF), males fed BOF, females fed BOF + 10% BSF live larvae supplementation based on the expected daily feed intake (DFI) and males fed BOF + 10% BSF live larvae supplementation based on the DFI (6 replicates/diet, 10 birds/replicate). Blood samples were collected at slaughter (82d old) from 2 birds/pen (12 birds/treatment). Serum samples were used for biochemical analysis. A compact liquid chemistry analyzer system (BT 1500 vet–Futurlab) was used to determine the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (U/I), aspartate aminotransferase (U/I), creatinine total proteins (mg/dl), uric acid (mg/dl), cholesterol (mg/dl), triglycerides (mg/dl), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT, U/I), phosphorus (mg/dl) and magnesium (mg/dl). Data were analyzed by GLMM (SPSS software, P<0.05). Overall, the blood parameters were not affected by the live larvae supplementation (P>0.05) in both sexes, thus being indicative of a good health status of the birds. Moreover, the GGT was detected in lower concentrations in the supplemented groups than in the control groups (P<0.05), suggesting a positive effect on the hepatic function. In conclusion, the live BSF larvae provision did not negatively affect the blood parameters of medium-growing chickens and could be beneficial for bird hepatic activity