Performance and immune response to cutting using tenebrium (tenebrio molitor) and black soldier fly (Hermetia illuscens) as a nutritional additive

Abstract

Increasingly the use of insects in animal feed is gaining space; the countless researches carried out using insect flour point out real benefits on its use, among them improvement in animal performance, improvement in immune responses, nutraceutical properties, all associated with efficient and more sustainable breeding systems (less water need, use of sub -products as substrate and less space for production). The most researched insects today are the tenebrian (Tenebrio molitor) and the black soldier fly - BSF (Hermetia illucens) due to the ease of breeding, low need for protein in the substrate, good feed conversion and good development on plant and animal waste. Both insects produce antimicrobial peptides that are responsible for their defense and are effective against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and have recently been found to have a modulating effect on the immune response of birds. Several studies have been carried out using insect flours as an ingredient providing nutrients, but due to its nutraceutical characteristics, studies are needed to confirm its use as an immune system modifying additive and a possible substitute for growth-promoting antibiotics. This project seeks to expand the results obtained in previous studies (insect meal providing nutrients) carried out in our laboratory for an approach to the use of insects as a nutritional additive and potential substitute for growth-promoting antibiotics. The project foresees three approaches to the use of flounder and BSF flours in the broiler feed: a) Insect flours in the initial broiler ration evaluating performance, using low levels of inclusion (0.5 and 1%) - pilot; b) To evaluate the effects of different periods of supply of flours on the performance of broilers, in order to obtain data for inclusion in the minimum period with good performance efficiency; and c) Evaluate the effects of different periods of supply of black soldier fly on the performance of broilers, in order to obtain data for inclusion in the minimum period with good performance efficiency. The results will provide a scientific basis for assessing the effects as a nutritional additive to replace growth promoters. (AU)