Effect of graded levels of a defatted insect meal from Tenebrio molitor larvae (Ynsect TMP-465) on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility in juvenile trout  

Dr. Jorge Dias
SPAROS Lda.
www.sparos.pt
Area Empresarial de Marim
Lote C
8700-221 Olhão, Portugal
Phone: +351.933807846
Email: jorgedias@sparos.pt
 

A study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of graded incorporation levels of insect meal from Tenebrio molitor larvae (Ynsect TMP-465) on the growth performance, body composition and apparent digestibility of nutrients in rainbow trout. The trial comprised five dietary treatments: a control diet (CTRL) containing 25% fishmeal and four test diets Y5, Y7.5, Y15 and Y25 in which fishmeal was replaced with Ynsect TMP-456 meal at 20, 30, 60 and 100%, respectively. Diets were isonitrogenous (CP 48.5%), isolipidic (CF 22.7%) and isoenergetic (GE 23.2kJ/g). Diets were tested in triplicate groups of 35 trout, with a mean initial body weight (IBW) of 5.0 g over 90 days.

At the end of the trial, the incorporation of Ynsect TMP-465 meal at 5, 7.5, 15 and 25%, with the concomitant reduction of fishmeal led to a stepwise significant increase of final body weight (P<0.05). All diets with Ynsect TMP-465 meal showed a significant improvement of SGR, FCR and PER values (P<0.05). In comparison to CTRL, fish fed diets with Ynsect TMP-465 meal showed a significant reduction of feed intake. However, such reduction does not suggest a detrimental effect on palatability, but probably a better nutritional and metabolic adequacy of diets, as indicated by a lower FCR and higher growth of fish. The various incorporation levels of Ynsect TMP-465 meal had no effect on the whole-body composition of fish nor on the ADC of dry matter, protein, fat, phosphorus and energy (P>0.05). Protein, phosphorus and energy retention was significantly increased (P<0.05) in trout fed diets with Ynsect TMP-465 meal. In general, the defatted insect meal (YNSECT TMP-465) could effectively replace 100% of fishmeal in the diet of juvenile rainbow trout with positive effects on the overall growth performance.