A Superscede of Mealworm and Black Soldier

By Abisha Juliet

FC&RITuticorin

Concept- insect-based feed replacement for the aquaculture industry.

Fishmeal -"high-price" strategic protein, according to a report from Dutch lender Rabobank.

The world prices for grain and consequently meat for fish feed will increase during next 13 years and this will prompt for search for alternative sources

Although demand is strong, supply of fishmeal is under pressure

However, insect based meal could also play a major role in feeding fish in aquaculture, and could become a sustainable alternative to fish meals.

Fish farmers often use fish meal, or pelleted feed that are made from other fish as a source of protein.

Finding sustainable feed for aquaculture

Using wild caught fish to feed farmed fish has always been a controversial issue.

Insects are going to be the next revolutionary solution for the food and feed crisis of the world.

Insect protein could make an even bigger impact in aquaculture, which consumes 10% of the world’s fish production as feed for other fish.

It could provide much of the protein animals need at a much lower environmental cost.

Why insects could be the ideal animal feed?

•Edible species-2000•high in protein •rich in micronutrients

co-authored by Van Huis, noted “the huge potential that insects offer for enhancing food security.”

bug-based diet will produce bigger and stronger livestock.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO) on edible insects

Review by FAO scientists of feeding trials - concluded that insect meal could replace between 25% and 100% of soymeal or fishmeal in the animals’ diets with no adverse effects.

Most insect meals were deficient in calcium and the amino acids methionine and lysine, but those can be added cheaply.

Black soldier fly larvae are a high-value feed source, rich in protein and fat. They contain about 40–44% crude protein (CP)Ca(7.56%)Most essential amino acid levels being higher than soymeal.

It is also not a potential carrier of disease (van Huis et al., 2013).It has been suggested that the larvae contain natural antibiotics (Newton et al., 2008).

Why BSF?

Biodesiel can also be produced as they have 35% oil.

Proximate composition42% protein, 35% lipid, 5% calcium, 1.5% phosphorus, 3.4% lysine, and 1% methionine/cystine.

SF meal lipids contain about 54% lauric acid which has been shown to be active against lipid coated viruses, including HIV virus, measles virus, clostridium, and many pathogenic protozoa

Mealworm meal shows promise for fish

• Protein 36%, •Crude Fat 18%,• Fiber 7%, •Moisture 9% Dried mealworms, the protein content jumps to a whopping 55%

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated -3.7 g/kgOmega-6 Polyunsaturated -91.3 g/kg

Vitamins are poorly represented in most edible insects, mealworms are among the best Vitamin B12 sources identified so far.

The defatted insect meal could effectively replace 100% of fishmeal in the diet with positive effects on the overall growth performance.

Defatted insect meal

Increase in body weight and decrease of FCR

Defatted insect meal contains crude protein higher than soymeal.

Environmentally sustainable

If BSF larvae and mealworm are popularized as alternative feed sources, this could significantly lower the rate of overexploitation of fishmeal and consequently decrease the demand ∕ supply ratio of fish meal, helping to reduce market prices.

Edible insects, through a combination of their high and varied nutritional content and their relative potential ease of accessibility, offer a unique remedy for fish feed.

Conclusion

Thank you