Growth Performances and Nutritional Values of Tenebrio molitor Larvae: Influence of Different Agro-Industrial By-Product Diets

TL;DR

This study shows how different plant-based diets affect the growth and nutrition of yellow mealworm larvae, highlighting hemp cake as the best option.

Contribution

The study identifies optimal agro-industrial by-products for rearing Tenebrio molitor larvae as a sustainable protein source.

Findings

Hemp cake supports the fastest larval growth due to high protein and moderate fiber content.

Rice bran and thistle cake negatively impact growth due to imbalanced nutrients and antinutritional factors.

Larvae adapt well to various substrates, but feed conversion and macro composition vary significantly.

Abstract

Intensive livestock and aquaculture systems require high-quality feeds with the correct nutritional composition. The decrease in wild fish proteins has led to demands within the feed supply chain for new alternatives to fulfil the growing demand for protein. In this context, edible insects like the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) have the greatest potential to become a valid alternative source of proteins. This study evaluated the growth performance and nutritional profile of yellow mealworm larvae reared under laboratory conditions on eight different agro-industrial by-products: wheat middling, durum wheat bran, rice bran, hemp cake, thistle cake, dried brewer’s spent grains, dried tomato pomace, and dried distilled grape marc. The quantitative and qualitative impacts of rearing substrates on larvae were compared. The results showed that larvae adapt well to different substrates with different nutritional compositions, including the fibrous fraction. However, substrates affect larval growth feed conversion and larval macro composition. Hemp cake stood out for its superior nutritional value, as reflected by its high protein content and moderate NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) levels, which determine fast larval growth. On the contrary, imbalanced substrate lipid or carbohydrate content (rice bran), as well as the presence of potential antinutritional compounds (thistle cake), appeared to negatively affect growth performances.

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