Insect-Based Diet, A Promising Protein Source for Monogas¬tric, Affects Human Health and Poultry Performance: A Case Study on Black Soldier Fly Lavae.

Abstract

This review was commenced to high spot the potential of insect based protein rations in monogastric livestock and consumers as technical substitute for the increasingly expensive fish based protein diets. A systematic literature review was carried out targeting original articles evaluating the utilization of insect based diets for livestock taking broiler poultry as a case study. The authors performed a systematic search using Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases (published in a period from 1994 to January 2023 to identify the studies that reported the association between performance parameters and levels of substituition of insects based proteins for fish. Countless studies indicated a high potential in the utilization of insect based diets although after defatting the insect lavae meals. The reported sustained performance is a consequence of comparable protein content as well as biological value. As a consequence of such responses, it was commended that for optimal productivity in terms of body weight gain, body condition score, quality carcass production, and improved economic returns, insect based protein can be used to substitute the fish meal provided the limiting amino acids are identified and made up using synthetic sources. Therefore, high crude protein content of insect meal based diets justifies utilization of the larvae meal as a substitute for fish meal in poultry diets. However, the differences in amino acid profile from that of FM, presence of chitin, and high crude fat content of BSLM could have an impact on feed utilization and the general performance of birds and quality of meat. In addition to affecting performance, attributes of BSLM for example antimicrobial peptides and the fatty acid profile gives BSLM the anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal activities could improve the immune response of birds. In general effects of BSLM on performance, meat quality, gut integrity and microbiology and immune response of birds is not fully studied especially at higher inclusion levels.