Farinha de inseto fermentada e probiótico como estratégia nutricional para frangos de corte

Abstract

The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) meal has emerged as a promising ingredient in animal nutrition due to its nutritional composition and the presence of bioactive compounds with immunomodulatory potential. Controlled fermentation of this meal may enhance the release of bioactive peptides, and its association with the probiotic Bacillus velezensis may have positive effects on intestinal health. Considering these benefits, it becomes relevant to evaluate its use under sanitary challenge conditions, such as necrotic enteritis, a major enteric disease in poultry farming that worsens with restrictions on antibiotic use, thereby reinforcing the need for effective alternatives. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of black soldier fly meal, whether previously fermented or not, on its potential as a functional additive associated with Bacillus velezensis BV01 in broiler chickens challenged with subclinical necrotic enteritis. A total of 360 Cobb-500 broilers were used, distributed across three treatments, evaluated in ten replicates of 12 birds each, as follows: T1 – basal diet (BD) without antibiotic or anticoccidial additives; T2 – basal diet supplemented with conventional black soldier fly larvae meal associated with Bacillus velezensis BV01; T3 – basal diet supplemented with previously fermented black soldier fly larvae meal associated with Bacillus velezensis BV01. Necrotic enteritis was induced via feed, with administration of Eimeria maxima at 14 days and Clostridium perfringens on days 18, 19, and 20 of age. Feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated during the periods of 1–7, 1–14, 1–21, 1–35, and 1–42 days of age. At 14, 21, and 42 days, lesion scores, macroscopic evaluation, histopathology, histomorphometry, and cytokine levels were assessed. Carcass yield and cuts were evaluated at 42 days. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data with a normal distribution were analyzed using ANOVA with the SNK test at a 5% significance level, while non-normally distributed data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Broilers supplemented with black soldier fly meal, whether fermented or not, and associated with B. velezensis BV01, showed improved feed conversion (P<0.05) during the periods of 1–7, 1–14, and 1–21 days, with the latter corresponding to the sanitary challenge period. During the 1–21 day period, birds fed the basal diet showed poorer feed conversion (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations in birds supplemented with the meals, both associated with B. velezensis BV01. For IL-6, at 42 days, a significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in broilers fed the basal diet supplemented with black soldier fly meal + B. velezensis BV01. It is concluded that the use of black soldier fly meal, whether fermented or not, both associated with Bacillus velezensis BV01, modulated the immune response of broiler chickens challenged with subclinical necrotic enteritis, improving productive performance and indicating the potential of these combinations as functional additives for broiler production.