Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal Modulates Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota in Xuefeng Black-Bone Chickens

The addition of Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HILM) to the feed could contribute to particular antimicrobial and intestinal health in animal husbandry. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of HILM on intestinal morphology and microbial diversity in different intestinal segments of Xuefeng black-bone chickens. All of 432 birds (45 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four equal groups with six replicates and 18 hens in each replicate: (A) basal diet, (B) basal diet with 1% HILM, (C) basal diet with 3% HILM, and (D) basal diet with 5% HILM. The results showed that, compared with the basal diet group, the HILM supplement significantly increased the abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) and Chao index in cecum (p < 0.05). Diet with 1% HILM significantly increased the villus height (VH) of the duodenum (p < 0.05) and cecum microbial diversity as represented by the Simpson index (p < 0.05). In particular, 1% HILM displayed a markedly increase in the genus unclassified Bacteroidales (cecum, p < 0.05). A basal diet with 3% HILM markedly increased the beneficial genus Romboutsia (jejunum, p < 0.05). Also, principal component analysis (PCA) cluster analysis showed that 3% of HILM was more individual than other groups (p < 0.05). However, 5% HILM decreased the VH and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD) of the jejunum and increased beneficial bacteria such as Staphylococcus (p < 0.05), which was regarded as pathogenetic genera. In conclusion, we found that HILM improved intestinal morphology and increased microbiological diversity and species abundance. Together, dietary supplementation of 1 or 3% HILM might benefit the intestinal morphology and intestinal microbiota of Xuefeng black-bone chicken. However, the addition of 5% HILM could decrease VH and the ratio of VH/CD of the jejunum and increased pathogenetic genera. HILM was an excellent protein substitute for Xuefeng black-bone chickens, which could meet the nutritional requirements under the condition of less feed. These results provide information for HILM meal as an alternative source of soybean meal in Xuefeng black-bone chickens’ feed.

Insects as Novel Ruminant Feed and a Potential Mitigation Strategy for Methane Emissions

Simple Summary

In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in using edible insects as animal feed due to their high nutritive value and environmental advantages over the conventional livestock feeds. Insects have been used in the diets of some animals (poultry, fish, and swine) however, their evaluation in ruminants is still limited. The current in vitro study evaluated the usage of four different kinds of edible insects to partially substitute soybean meal as an example to the conventional high-quality expensive protein sources in ruminants’ diets. This study showed that the evaluated insects had high protein and fat contents. Substitution of 25% of soybean meal with the tested insects in a ruminant diet had no adverse effect on rumen fermentation profile or nutrient digestibility. Moreover, the inclusion of some species in the diet led to a reduction of the methane production up to 16–18% which is an additional environmental benefit. The findings of this study are encouraging for further work in this promising area to improve the sustainability of livestock industry.

Abstract

This study is the first to evaluate the chemical composition and impacts of four different edible insects, Acheta domesticus (A.d), Brachytrupes portentosus (B.p), Gryllus bimaculatus (G.b), and Bombyx mori (B.m), on the digestibility, rumen fermentation, and methane production when used as a substitute for 25% of the soybean meal (SBM) in a ruminant diet through in vitro incubation. The dietary treatments were 100% grass hay, 60% grass hay + 40% SBM, 60% grass hay + 30% SBM + 10% A.d, 60% grass hay + 30% SBM + 10% B.p, 60% grass hay + 30% SBM + 10% G.b, and 60% grass hay + 30% SBM + 10% B.m. The experiment was conducted as a short-term batch culture for 24 h at 39 °C, and the incubation was repeated in 3 consecutive runs. Chemical analysis of the insects showed that they were rich in fat (14–26%) with a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (60–70%). Additionally, the insects were rich in protein (48–61%) containing all essential amino acids and the amino acid profiles of the insects were almost the same as that of SBM. The inclusion of insects did not affect nutrient digestibility or the production of volatile fatty acids but did increase the production of ammonia-nitrogen. The addition of G.b and B.m led to decrease in methane production by up to 18% and 16%, respectively. These results reveal that substitution of 25% SBM in the diet with the tested insects had no negative impacts, and their potential to reduce methane production is an environmental benefit.

Human food waste to animal feed: opportunities and challenges

By 2050, the demand for animal protein is estimated to increase by 70%. Concurrently, United Nations (UN) member countries have committed to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030. Moreover, even if the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change dietary-change recommendations are followed, measures to produce food and animal feed more efficiently will become increasingly important in creating a more sustainable food future. Currently, livestock animals consume over a third of global grain production. However, livestock animals, including insects, could function as efficient bioprocessors for converting unavoidable food waste into valuable animal protein. Establishing such a circular food system would simultaneously reduce both the negative environmental impacts of food waste going to landfill and intensive livestock production, as well as meet the need for increased livestock feed. To be successful in establishing a food waste to livestock feed industry, it will be critical to ensure that feed safety is appropriately regulated to prevent adverse animal health, welfare, biosecurity, food safety, economic, market access and food insecurity outcomes. Currently, regulatory frameworks in most industrialised countries either prohibit feeding of food waste to livestock or limit the wastes permissible. However, there is a growing body of knowledge showing that if the correct processing and safety measures are implemented, that food waste from retail and food service can be effectively and safety utilised in commercial production systems. The Japanese have developed a successful food waste to pig feed industry, based on both liquid and dry feeding systems, which is regulated and encouraged under national policy. They have developed licenced ‘Ecofeed’-branded products, and the pork industry has not been negatively affected by emergency animal diseases through this feeding practice. If other countries are to establish similar food waste to livestock feed industries, then strategies to mitigate food safety and biosecurity concerns will need to be developed and implemented. Regional techno-economic analysis will also be required to assess industry profitability and determine the potential investment required for new collection, storage and feed production infrastructure. Furthermore, legislation, based on scientifically robust research, will be required to incentivise food-waste producers and the livestock industry to actively engage and drive change.