ARTICLE F&A Alternative Proteins Edition April 2023 55 meal. Alternative protein sources will be needed to further grow aquaculture production. INSECTS, A PROVEN MARKET-FIT IN PETFOOD AND AQUACULTURE Insects, particularly the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), are known to be very resource efficient. They can convert a large variety of low-value and even negative-value agricultural by-products into high-value proteins and fats. BSFL meal is an excellent source of amino acids and other essential nutrients that are vital for animal growth and health. The main go-to market for insect proteins is currently in aquaculture and pet food. In pet food, insect meal is valued as a sustainable alternative to other high-valued meat products (beef, chicken, lamb) and is gaining market share due to its hypo-allergenic properties and an increased sustainability awareness of pet owners. In aquafeeds, it is especially used for marine species to partially replace premium fishmeal. It is already used in commercial applications with major aquafeed players. In other aquaculture species and livestock, insect meal is used in smaller inclusion rates, for its positive effects on the feed intake, immune system, and FCR. It is especially interesting for the nursery and hatchery stages and for piglet diets. Several trials conducted by Entobel in shrimp show that premium fishmeal can be replaced on a 1:1 basis up to 35% by its defatted BSFL meal, without any negative impact on the performance. A trial in cooperation with Hue University (Vietnam) tested different shrimp feed diets with increasing substitution of fishmeal by BSFL meal. The results showed that the final weight, the FCR, and the Specific Growth Rate improved with an increasing BSFL meal inclusion in the diet. The best results were achieved with a 35% fishmeal substitution by Entobel’s BSFL meal. While with the current pricing of BSFL meal, the feed cost was slightly higher, the cost per kg of shrimp produced was significantly lower (Table 1). BSFL MEAL, A FUNCTIONAL AND PEPTIDE-RICH INGREDIENT BSFL meal is not only used as a protein source in animal diets. It can be considered a functional feed ingredient with positive attractant and health effects. It is a rich source of free amino acids and low molecular weight proteins. This leads to a high protein digestibility, meaning that animals can more efficiently absorb and utilize the nutrients in BSFL meal than in other protein sources. It also explains the superior palatability and attractability of Entobel’s BSFL meal compared to other traditional attractants such as for instance squid liver meal, or shrimp hydrolysates. A trial in cooperation with Nong Lam University (Vietnam) was executed to test the attractability VARIABLES Final weight (g) FCR (g/g) SGR (%day) Cost per kg feed (USD) Cost per kg Shrimp (USD) 4,54 1,20 2,11 2.43 2.91 4,66 1,14 2,16 2.44 2.79 4,72 1,07 2,23 2.49 2.66 4,80 1,04 2,27 2.49 2.59 PERCENTAGE OF FISH MEAL SUBSTITUTION WITH BSFL MEAL 15% BSFL MEAL 25% BSFL MEAL 35% BSFL MEAL 0% BSFL MEAL Table 1. Results of Entobel trial in cooperation with Hue University (Vietnam).
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