Analysing the effects of feeding black soldier fly on broiler growth performance: a meta-analysis
Zafar Hayat A , Tuba Riaz A * , Youssef A. Attia B , Faran Hameed C and Fahad Javaid Siddiqui CA
B
C
Abstract
The black soldier fly has been found to be a rich protein source, containing high amounts of protein and lipids, making them a valuable and sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources, such as fish and soybean meals, for broilers, which has also been demonstrated by multiple studies.
A meta-analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed published research on the use of black soldier flies in poultry diets to test the hypothesis that it enhances growth performance as a sustainable alternative to plant-based protein sources.
To this end, we used publicly available databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Embase) to identify peer-reviewed papers. Retrieved articles were screened for relevance and quality using established criteria. The studies were largely rejected due to non-reporting of variance measures or reporting pooled measures of variance that could not be used. As a result, eight studies were used to extract data for growth performance, including body weight gain.
The meta-analysis showed that the effect of feeding black soldier fly meals on body weight gain was non-significant. However, the subgroup analysis showed that utilisation of the frozen form of the black soldier fly lowers body weight gain compared with the birds fed basal diets. Furthermore, the feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced when the broilers were fed with diets containing black soldier fly meals. The feed conversion ratio showed non-significant (P > 0.05) differences with the supplementation.
The inclusion level of black soldier fly larvae meal in any form was seen to be safe up to 10%, and the effective duration of the supplementation was ≤35 days.
The utilisation of black soldier fly as a sustainable protein source should be encouraged to facilitate farmers in terms of being less dependent on soybean meal, as well as to reduce the competition between humans and animals for plant protein sources.
Keywords: black soldier fly, broilers, insects, meta-analysis, protein, random effects methods, soybean replacement, weight gain.
References
Ahmed AKA, Asiry KA, Al-qurashi AD, Almasoudi NM, Ali Ahmad M, Mousa OH, Attia YA, Alrefaei MS (2022) Insect meal as promising feedstuffs for sustainable poultry nutrition and production with emphasis on black soldier fly Hermetia illucens: an updated review. Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment & Arid Land Agriculture Sciences 31(1), 19-30.
| Google Scholar |
Attia YA, Bovera F, Asiry KA, Alqurashi S, Alrefaei MS (2023) Fish and black soldier fly meals as partial replacements for soybean meal can affect sustainability of productive performance, blood constituents, gut microbiota, and nutrient excretion of broiler chickens. Animals 13(17), 2759.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Banday MT, Adil S, Sheikh IU, Hamadani H, Qadri FI, Sahfi ME, Sait HSAW, Abd El-Mageed TA, Salem HM, Taha AE, El-Saadony MT, Abd El-Hack ME (2023) The use of silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) meal as an alternative protein source for poultry. World’s Poultry Science Journal 79(1), 119-134.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Barragan-Fonseca KB, Dicke M, van Loon JJA (2017) ) Nutritional value of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) and its suitability as animal feed–a review. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 3(2), 105-120.
| Google Scholar |
Belhadj Slimen I, Yerou H, Ben Larbi M, M’Hamdi N, Najar T (2023) Insects as an alternative protein source for poultry nutrition: a review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 10, 1200031.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Borrelli L, Coretti L, Dipineto L, Bovera F, Menna F, Chiariotti L, Nizza A, Lembo F, Fioretti A (2017) Insect-based diet, a promising nutritional source, modulates gut microbiota composition and SCFAs production in laying hens. Scientific Reports 7(1), 16269.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Chagneau AM, Bessonneau D, Bouchot C, Lescoat P, Picard M, Lessire M (2006) Broiler short-term feed preferences measured with SRAbox, a new feed choice procedure. Poultry Science 85(4), 808-815.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Cullere M, Tasoniero G, Giaccone V, Miotti-Scapin R, Claeys E, De Smet S, Dalle Zotte A (2016) Black soldier fly as dietary protein source for broiler quails: apparent digestibility, excreta microbial load, feed choice, performance, carcass and meat traits. Animal 10(12), 1923-1930.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Dabbou S, Gai F, Biasato I, Capucchio MT, Biasibetti E, Dezzutto D, Meneguz M, Plachà I, Gasco L, Schiavone A (2018) Black soldier fly defatted meal as a dietary protein source for broiler chickens: effects on growth performance, blood traits, gut morphology and histological features. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 9, 49.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Dzepe D, Magatsing O, Kuietche HM, Meutchieye F, Nana P, Tchuinkam T, Djouaka R (2021) Recycling organic wastes using black soldier fly and house fly larvae as broiler feed. Circular Economy and Sustainability 1, 895-906.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
El-Kaiaty AM, Atta AERM, Dawa DT, El-sayed TR (2022) The impact of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as feed supplementation on productive and physiological performance of broiler chickens. World’s Veterinary Journal 12(2), 133-140.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Elangovan AV, Udayakumar A, Saravanakumar M, Awachat VB, Mohan M, Yandigeri MS, Krishnan S, Mech A, Rao SBN, Giridhar K (2021) Effect of black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus) prepupae meal on growth performance and gut development in broiler chicken. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 41, 2077-2082.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Grassauer F, Ferdous J, Pelletier N (2023) Manure valorization using black soldier fly larvae: a review of current systems, production characteristics, utilized feed substrates, and bioconversion and nitrogen conversion efficiencies. Sustainability 15(16), 12177.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hale O (1973) Dried Hermetia illucens larvae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) as a feed additive for poultry. Journal of the Georgia Entomological Society 8, 16-20.
| Google Scholar |
Higgins JP (2008) ‘Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. version 5.0.1.’ (The Cochrane Collaboration) Available at http://www.cochrane-handbook.org
Ipema AF, Bokkers EAM, Gerrits WJJ, Kemp B, Elizabeth Bolhuis J (2022) Provision of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) in different ways benefits broiler welfare and performance, with largest effects of scattering live larvae. Physiology & Behavior 257, 113999.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
IPIFF (2021) ‘Insects as Food and Feed. Vol. 2023.’ (IPIFF) Available at https://ipiff.org/insects-eu-legislation/
Kelemu S, Niassy S, Torto B, Fiaboe K, Affognon H, Tonnang H, Maniania NK, Ekesi S (2015) African edible insects for food and feed: inventory, diversity, commonalities and contribution to food security. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 1(2), 103-119.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Khempaka S, Chitsatchapong C, Molee W (2011) Effect of chitin and protein constituents in shrimp head meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial populations, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia production in broilers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 20(1), 1-11.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Lalander C, Diener S, Magri ME, Zurbrügg C, Lindström A, Vinnerås B (2013) Faecal sludge management with the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)—from a hygiene aspect. Science of The Total Environment 458–460, 312-318.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Makkar HPS, Tran G, Heuzé V, Ankers P (2014) State-of-the-art on use of insects as animal feed. Animal Feed Science and Technology 197, 1-33.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Marono S, Piccolo G, Loponte R, Di Meo C, Attia YA, Nizza A, Bovera F (2015) In vitro crude protein digestibility of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens insect meals and its correlation with chemical composition traits. Italian Journal of Animal Science 14(3), 3889.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Mat K, Kari ZA, Rusli ND, Rahman MM, Harun HC, Al-Amsyar SM, Nor MFM, Dawood MA, Hassan AM (2022) Effects of the inclusion of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal on growth performance and blood plasma constituents in broiler chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) production. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 29(2), 809-815.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Moula N, Hornick J-L, Cabaraux J-F, Korsak N, Daube G, Dawans E, Antoine N, Taminiau B, Detilleux J (2018) Effects of dietary black soldier fly larvae on performance of broilers mediated or not through changes in microbiota. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 4(1), 31-42.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Oluokun JA (2000) Upgrading the nutritive value of full-fat soyabeans meal for broiler production with either fishmeal or black soldier fly larvae meal (Hermetia illucens). Nigerian Journal of Animal Science 3(2), 51-61.
| Google Scholar |
Onsongo VO, Osuga IM, Gachuiri CK, Wachira AM, Miano DM, Tanga CM, Ekesi S, Nakimbugwe D, Fiaboe KKM (2018) Insects for income generation through animal feed: effect of dietary replacement of soybean and fish meal with black soldier fly meal on broiler growth and economic performance. Journal of Economic Entomology 111(4), 1966-1973.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Shamseer L, Tetzlaff JM, Akl EA, Brennan SE, Chou R, Glanville J, Grimshaw JM, Hróbjartsson A, Lalu MM, Li T, Loder EW, Mayo-Wilson E, McDonald S, McGuinness LA, Stewart LA, Thomas J, Tricco AC, Welch VA, Whiting P, Moher D (2021) The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. International Journal of Surgery 88, 105906.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Sajid QUA, Asghar MU, Tariq H, Wilk M, Płatek A (2023) Insect meal as an alternative to protein concentrates in poultry nutrition with future perspectives (an updated review). Agriculture 13(6), 1239.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Spranghers T, Ottoboni M, Klootwijk C, Ovyn A, Deboosere S, De Meulenaer B, Michiels J, Eeckhout M, De Clercq P, De Smet S (2017) Nutritional composition of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae reared on different organic waste substrates. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 97(8), 2594-2600.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
St-Hilaire S, Cranfill K, McGuire MA, Mosley EE, Tomberlin JK, Newton L, Sealey W, Sheppard C, Irving S (2007) Fish offal recycling by the black soldier fly produces a foodstuff high in omega-3 fatty acids. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 38(2), 309-313.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Van Huis A, Oonincx DGAB (2017) The environmental sustainability of insects as food and feed. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 37, 43.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Vauterin A, Steiner B, Sillman J, Kahiluoto H (2021) The potential of insect protein to reduce food-based carbon footprints in Europe: the case of broiler meat production. Journal of Cleaner Production 320, 128799.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Velten S, Neumann C, Bleyer M, Gruber-Dujardin E, Hanuszewska M, Przybylska-Gornowicz B, Liebert F (2018) Effects of 50 percent substitution of soybean meal by alternative proteins from Hermetia illucens or Spirulina platensis in meat-type chicken diets with graded amino acid supply. Open Journal of Animal Sciences 8, 119-136.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Xia J, Ge C, Yao H (2021) Antimicrobial peptides from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as potential antimicrobial factors representing an alternative to antibiotics in livestock farming. Animals 11(7), 1937.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |