Insects as the Nutrition Source in Animal Feed

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Role of Insects in Human Society".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 1122

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés, 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Interests: edible insects; entomology; insect-rearing units; insect lipid metabolism
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Exploring alternative and sustainable protein sources has become a critical area of research in response to the increasing global demand for animal feed and the environmental impact of conventional protein sources. Insects present a promising solution with their high protein content, efficient feed conversion ratios, and lower environmental footprint. This Special Issue aims to compile cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews on using insects as a nutritional source in animal feed. Key topics include the nutritional value of various insect species, their digestibility and impact on animal growth and health, the economic feasibility and scalability of insect farming, and the regulatory frameworks governing their use. Additionally, a significant focus will be placed on developing innovative insect-rearing units explicitly designed for feed inclusion, optimizing production efficiency and ensuring consistent quality. By bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives from entomology, animal nutrition, sustainability and economic studies, this Special Issue seeks to advance the scientific understanding and practical applications of insects in animal feed. The contributions will highlight the potential of insects to transform animal nutrition and promote more sustainable agricultural practices, addressing current challenges and future opportunities in this rapidly growing field.

Dr. Rudy Caparros Megido
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • protein source
  • sustainability
  • nutrition
  • entomology
  • agriculture
  • economic feasibility
  • regulatory frameworks
  • insect-rearing units

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1029 KiB  
Article
Low-Fat Tenebrio molitor Meal as a Component in the Broiler Diet: Growth Performance and Carcass Composition
by Evgeni Petkov, Teodora Popova, Krasimir Dimov, Desislava Vlahova-Vangelova, Desislav Balev, Nikolay Kolev and Stefan Dragoev
Insects 2024, 15(12), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15120979 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 673
Abstract
Tenebrio molitor is considered a sustainable protein source for diets in poultry. It has been investigated in regard to the performance, health status, and product quality in different poultry species. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of low-fat Tenebrio molitor meal [...] Read more.
Tenebrio molitor is considered a sustainable protein source for diets in poultry. It has been investigated in regard to the performance, health status, and product quality in different poultry species. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of low-fat Tenebrio molitor meal (LFTM) included in the broilers’ diet on the growth performance and carcass composition of the birds. The trial was conducted at the Institute of Animal Science-Kostinbrod, Bulgaria. A total of 120 male one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were allocated to 5 groups. After an adaptation period of 14 days, the birds were fed a basal diet (C) and diets including LFTM in amounts of 2.5% (T2.5), 5% (T5), 7.5% (T7.5), and 10% (T10). The growth performance of the birds was measured during the trial. At 35 days of age, 8 birds per group were slaughtered, and their carcass quality was evaluated. We found a linear response of BWG and FCR towards the inclusion of Tenebrio molitor meal (TM) in the diet. For the whole period (14–35 d), the BWG decreased (p = 0.0002), while the values of FCR increased (p = 0.0001) with the increase in the levels of the insect meal. The doses of 7.5% and 10% of the insect meal were associated with lower carcass weight and also decreased the yield of the breast. The results of the study indicated that the incorporation of LFTM, especially in amounts of 7.5–10%, could not be appropriate for broilers due to adverse effects on the growth performance and carcass composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects as the Nutrition Source in Animal Feed)
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