Partially defatted black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal in piglets' nutrition

The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of different inclusion levels of a partially defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) larvae meal on growth performance and dorsal muscle composition of piglets. Fortyeight newly weaned piglets were individually weighted (initial body weight (IBW): 6.09±0.16 kg) and allocated in 12 different boxes to have a homogeneous initial live weight. Three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with increasing inclusion levels of BSF (0% (BSF0), 5% (BSF5) and 10% BSF10)) in substitution of conventional protein sources. Each diet was assigned to four replicates. Two phases feeding program (I from day 0 to day 23; II from day 24 to day 61) were studied. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated for each feeding phase and for the whole trial while the weight gain (WG) was calculated for each period. The Longissimus dorsi analysis was performed on 6 animals per treatment. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA and differences of means by Duncan's test (P<=0.05). No significant differences were observed for all the parameters neither growth performance or proximate composition. The obtained results showed that a partially defatted BSF larvae meal can be used as feed ingredient in piglet diets without impacting growth performance and dorsal muscle composition.