Gordura de larvas de mosca-soldado negra (Hermetia illucens) em substituição ao óleo de soja na dieta de frangos de corte

Abstract

The commercial production of insects is already a reality in many countries and is growing rapidly in Brazil, standing out as an important alternative source for animal nutrition. The species Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), known for its remarkable bioconversion capacity and high nutritional value, is promising as an ingredient in animal nutrition. The fat extracted from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL fat) can be a potential substitute for soybean oil in feed for non-ruminants. However, knowledge about the energy value of BSFL fat for broilers is still incipient, as well as the optimal level of substitution for soybean oil. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) of BSFL fat for broilers and to evaluate the replacement at increasing levels of soybean oil (SO) by BSFL fat on productive performance, intestinal histomorphometry, quality, and fatty acid profile of the meat. To determine the AMEn and evaluate BSFL fat on the zootechnical performance of poultry, two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, a metabolic trial was carried out based on the total excreta collection method, using two diets: a reference diet (RD) isonutritive based on corn and soybean meal without the addition of supplemental fat and RD with 10% total replacement (weight by weight) of RD by the lipid source of BSFL fat. The design was completely randomized with each diet evaluated in twelve replicates of 3 birds per experimental unit. For the second experiment, the experimental diets were formulated with replacement levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in relation to soybean oil, distributed in a completely randomized design with ten replicates of ten birds per experimental unit. The values determined for BSFL fat for broilers based on natural matter were 9,010 kcal/kg (AME) and 9,027 kcal/kg (AMEn). There was no difference (P>0.05) for productive performance, jejunum histomorphometry, and physicochemical parameters of the meat. However, the replacement of soybean oil by BSFL fat affected (P<0.05) breast yield, collagen content, fat content, and fatty acid profile. In conclusion, BSFL fat is a nutritionally viable alternative to soybean oil in broiler feeding, with similar energy value and can be used without compromising performance, intestinal histomorphometry, and meat quality.