ARTICLE 52 F&A Alternative Proteins Edition April 2023 About Charles Rodde, PhD After working 4 years as a researcher in the aquaculture sector, with a strong focus on how to substitute fish meal and oil in farmed fish diet, Charles Rodde got convinced that insect farming was the most powerful solution to make aquaculture and more generally world food production more sustainable. He then decided to join the insect industry at Entofood (Malaysia), as a R&D manager. His work mainly focuses on black soldier fly nutrition and zootechny at larval stage. He develops and implements research projects but also provides technical support to Veolia production sites. Then the shrimps underwent a pathogenic challenge using Vibrio parahaemolyticus (leading to acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease). Seven days after the challenge, the group fed with black soldier fly ingredients exhibited a better survival rate (64%) than the one fed without (only 50%). At histological level, significant signs of sloughing were observed in hepatopancreatic tubule epithelial cells in the group fed without black soldier fly ingredients, whereas they mostly survived in the group fed with black soldier fly ingredients (Figure 2). These results were linked to laboratory analyses revealing an increase in the phagocytosis activity, in the activity of enzymes involved in the immune response, and a decrease of V. parahaemolyticus abundance. IN SUMMARY Black soldier fly oil is particularly rich in lauric acid (around 1/3 of its fatty acid profile). It is also abundant in palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. Although lauric acid is prevalent in palm kernel and coconut oils, black soldier fly oil is a novel ingredient opening new opportunities for animal nutrition. Indeed, black soldier fly is suitable for poultry, pig and fish (freshwater or marine) nutrition, as well as for pet food. Beyond the nutritional quality, recent trials suggest that black soldier fly oil can support animal health. In particular, it can inhibit pathogenic bacteria development but also support the immune system in several species (e.g. whiteleg shrimp). Black soldier fly oil is thus an exciting ingredient to add in any premix of oils traditionally applied in livestock or pet diet. Whether black soldier fly oil could also be beneficial in human nutrition is still an open question that deserves investigation. However, black soldier fly ingredients have not been allowed for human consumption by the European Union regulation yet. Black soldier fly oil might also be used for purposes out of the scope of nutrition, for instance to produce rinse-off cosmetics with antimicrobial properties, such as foaming soaps or shower gels. Ultimately, black soldier fly oil has a bright future ahead. Figure 2. Histological views of shrimps hepatopancreas: A) before pathogenic challenge and without black soldier fly ingredients in the diet; B) before pathogenic challenge and with black soldier fly ingredients in the diet (overall aspect similar to A); C) after pathogenic challenge and without black soldier fly ingredients in the diet, it appears clearly that hepatopancreatic tubule epithelial cells massively died; D) after pathogenic challenge and with black soldier fly ingredients in the diet.
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