# Effects of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Replacement of Soybean Meal on the Performance, Meat Quality, and Health Status in Broilers

## TL;DR

Black soldier fly larvae meal can partially replace soybean meal in broiler diets without harming growth or meat quality, but higher levels reduce performance.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the partial replacement of soybean meal with black soldier fly larvae meal in broiler diets while maintaining meat quality and physiological health.

## Key findings

- Low to moderate inclusion of black soldier fly larvae meal supports normal growth and meat quality in broilers.
- Higher inclusion levels reduce weight gain, feed intake, and carcass yield while increasing gizzard weight.
- Blood biochemistry shows beneficial metabolic adaptations at 20% replacement levels.

## Abstract

Soybean meal is the primary protein source in poultry diets, but its rising price and environmental impact are driving interest in more sustainable substitutes. Black soldier fly larvae meal offers a promising option because it is high in protein and can be produced efficiently using low-value organic substrates. In this study, Black soldier fly larvae meal was included in broiler diets at incremental levels to evaluate its potential to replace soybean meal and to assess its effects on growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass traits, meat quality, and key blood biochemical indicators. The results showed that low to moderate replacement levels of soybean meal with Black soldier fly larvae meal supported normal growth, physiological health, and meat quality. However, higher replacement levels negatively affected weight gain and feed conversion. These findings suggest that Black soldier fly larvae meal can partially replace soybean meal when incorporated at appropriate levels.

This study investigated the potential of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal to replace soybean meal in broiler diets by evaluating growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemical responses. A total of 160 ten-day old Ross 708 chicks (216.74 ± 0.74, g) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 20%, 40%, or 60% BSFL meal replacing soybean meal on a 100% equivalent basis, respectively, and evaluated during the starter (10–21 days), grower (21–42 days), and overall (10–42 days) phases. Carcass characteristics, meat color, and blood biochemistry were assessed on day 42. Data was analyzed using polynomial (linear and quadratic) contrasts. Increasing dietary BSFL levels resulted in significant reductions in body weight, average daily gain, and feed intake, while the feed conversion ratio increased linearly. Carcass yield decreased to higher inclusion levels, accompanied by a marked increase in gizzard weight. Meat color (L*, a*, b*) remained largely unchanged across treatments. Blood biochemical analysis revealed linear and quadratic shifts in key metabolites, enzymes, and electrolytes, including reductions in aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, and creatine phosphokinase, as well as altered calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Overall, BSFL meal inclusion as 20% replacement improved growth performance and stimulated beneficial lipid and protein metabolism adaptations in broilers.