African aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry that provides a sustainable source of protein while supporting job creation, economic stability, and equal opportunities across communities. To sustain this growth, innovative protein sources are crucial for advancing the aquaculture and aquafeed sectors. The INNOECOFOOD project aims to strengthen fish farms by evaluating protein sources produced locally within ECOHUBS, including spirulina and black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFLM). This initiative promotes efficient aquaculture practices while supporting the production of certified, marketable food and feed products. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a key species in African aquaculture, valued for its fast growth and high yield. As demand for sustainable and cost-effective fish production rises, diversifying feed ingredients is crucial. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the incorporation of Spirulina and BSFLM in diets for Nile tilapia juveniles. Five practical diets were formulated (35 % crude protein, and 8 % crude lipids). A control diet contained 5 % fishmeal (FM), while for the other experimental diets, FM-protein was partially (25 %) replaced by either BSFLM, or spirulina, or totally (100 %) by a combination of 75 % BSF and 25 % spirulina, or 100 % BSF. Diets were tested in triplicate with groups of 20 Nile tilapia juveniles (initial body weight 8.2 ± 0.03 g) and fish were hand-fed to apparent visual satiation for 71 days. At the end of the trial, growth performance and feed utilization showed no differences among treatments. Final body weight averaged 88.7 g, daily growth index 3.43 % day-1, and feed conversion ratio 1.14. Diet’s nutrient digestibility, retention, and gain remained unaffected by the experimental diets. The histomorphological evaluation revealed no significant effects on the intestinal integrity of fish fed these diets. Overall, the present results demonstrate the feasibility of replacing FM with spirulina and BSFLM as innovative feed sources in diets for Nile tilapia, without compromising growth, feed efficiency, or digestive health. The impact of the diets on the nutritional quality of tilapia fillets is still under study. These findings highlight the potential for locally-produced alternative proteins to enhance the sustainability and self-sufficiency of African aquaculture systems while reducing dependency on imported fishmeal.
Funding: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation action under Grant Agreement no. 101136739 (INNOECOFOOD).
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.