Partially Defatted Tenebrio molitor Larva Meal in Diets for Grow-Out Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): Effects on Growth Performance Diet Digestibility and Metabolic Responses

摘要

The current developments in the aquaculture sector have highlighted the need to find sustainable ingredients to replace fishmeal as a protein source in fish feeds. The use of insect meals may be a valid option, due to their good nutritional values and low ecological footprint. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a progressive fishmeal substitution with increasing concentrations of a partially defatted yellow mealworm meal in rainbow trout diets. We observed that the total substitution of fishmeal with insect meal is feasible and that there are no negative effects on fish growth or on the digestibility of most nutrients. The activities of hepatic enzymes involved in the amino acid metabolism and lipid synthesis were also evaluated. The enzymatic activities were not negatively influenced by insect meal inclusion in the diets. These results are of practical application for feed manufacturers and farmers, as they support the inclusion of insect meals in fish diets to obtain sustainable feeds that able to support an increase in aquaculture production.