Evaluation of full-fatted and hydrolysate mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae as a substitute for spray-dried plasma protein diet in weaning pigs.

The goal of this experiment was to examine the effect of dietary inclusion of full-fatted mealworm larvae (FFML) or hydrolysate mealworm larvae (HML) (Tenebrio molitor) as a substitute for spray-dried plasma protein (SDPP) as a protein source on the performance and immune status of nursery pigs. A total of 150 crossbred piglets (6.48 ± 0.01 kg) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 dietary groups in two feeding phases: phase 1 (Days 0-14) and phase 2 (Days 15-35). Each treatment had 10 replicates with 5 pigs per replicate. The nutritious diets were: Phase 1: SDPP-CON (control-basal diet) + 6% SDPP diet; FFML-CON + 3% SDPP and 3% FFML diet; HML-CON + 3% SDPP and 3% HML diet. Phase 2: SDPP-CON (basal diet) + 3% SDPP diet; FFML-CON + 3% FFML diet; HML-CON + 3% HML diet. The inclusion of FFML or HML diet did not show significant difference but had a comparable effect as that of standard control diet containing SDPP on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and faecal score throughout the trial. In comparison to pigs fed SDPP diet, pigs fed FFML and HML diets had similar and/or higher (p < 0.05) serum immunoglobulin (IgA and IgG) concentration at the end of phase 1 and 2. The result of the present study indictes that SDPP would be partially or fully replaced with FFML or HML to suit weaning pigs diet.

Mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.) exuviae as a novel prebiotic material for BALB/c mouse gut microbiota.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) exuviae (ME) given as a prebiotic in 20% of the diet fed to BALB/c mice. Analysis of the ME revealed that it was mostly composed of crude protein (52.94%), crude fiber (10.70%), and moisture (10.54%). When ME was fed to mice for 8 weeks, the number of intestinal lactic acid bacteria increased, reaching similar numbers (4.50 ± 0.80 CFU/mL) to those (4.70 ± 0.80 CFU/mL) of the control group not fed ME. Microbiome analysis showed that 8 weeks feeding of ME promoted the growth of Bifidobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae compared to the POS group, indicating the positive effects of feeding 20% ME on the intestinal microbiota of mice. These results suggest that ME can be considered as a dietary prebiotics to improve human gut microbial population, but further application study to human is necessary.

Effects of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility in growing pigs compared to those of defatted mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility compared to those of dried mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble in growing pigs. METHODS: A total of 12 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with average body weight of 28.70±0.32 kg were surgically equipped with simple T-cannulas. A total of 12 pigs were assigned to individual metabolic crates and allotted to one of four treatments with 3 replicates in a fully randomized design. RESULTS: Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM) was the highest in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of crude protein (CP) were higher in pigs fed HML and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the other two diets. AID of total amino acid was higher (p = 0.06) in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) were similar in pigs fed DMLM and HML diets, but were higher (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p = 0.05, respectively) than those in pigs fed FPBM or HFS diet. Pigs fed HML diet had higher standardized ileal digestibilities (SIDs) of DM and CP (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively) compared to pigs fed the other FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of total amino acid were not different (p = 0.06) between treatments. For SIDs of Lys, Met, and Thr, pigs fed HML and DMLM diets showed higher SIDs (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) than pigs fed FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of non-essential amino acids (aspartic acid, glycine, and alanine) were higher (p<0.05, p< 0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) in pigs fed HML, FPBM, and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the HFS diet. AID and SID of glutamic acid were higher in pigs fed HML and FPBM diets. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, dietary supplementation of mealworm larvae hydrolysate had higher digestibility in DM, CP, Lys, Met, and Thr compared to dietary supplementation with fermented poultry by-product and hydrolyzed fish soluble.

Effect of soybean hull supplementation to finishing pigs on the emission of noxious gases from slurry.

Ninety six pigs were assigned on the basis of body weight (BW) to one of four dietary treatments (4 pigs per pen and 6 pens per treatment) and fed for 4 weeks. Four 14.85% CP diets were formulated to contain graded levels of soybean hulls at 0, 5, 10, or 15%, respectively. The results showed that treatments did not affect growth performance. Coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) for dry matter (DM) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with the addition level of soybean hulls. Slurry ammonia nitrogen (NH(3)-N) was not affected with the increased soybean hulls levels, but volatile fatty acids (VFA) were linearly (P < 0.05) increased. Slurry pH and ammonia (NH(3)) emissions were significantly decreased by the addition of soybean hulls (Linear, P < 0.05). Conversely, slurry hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) emissions exhibited an increase with the addition of soybean hulls (Linear, P < 0.10). Our data indicate that soybean hulls inclusion can decrease slurry pH value and NH(3) emission without any negative influence on growth performance.

Evaluation of fat sources (lecithin, mono-glyceride and mono-diglyceride) in weaned pigs: Apparent total tract and ileal nutrient digestibilities.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of lecithin, mono-glyceride and mono-diglyceride on apparent total tract and ileal nutrient digestibilities in nursery pigs. Twenty [(Landrace x Yorkshire) x Duroc] barrows were surgically fitted with simple T-cannulas. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet: soy oil), 2) LO (lecithin 0.5%), 3) MO (mono-glyceride 0.5%), 4) MG (mono-glyceride 1.0%) and 5) MDG (mono-diglyceride 1.0%). In apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) digestibilities of MDG treatments were higher than LO and MG treatments (p<0.05). In nitrogen (N) digestibility, LO treatment showed the lowest compared to others (p<0.05). The digestibility of crude fat was higher in MDG treatment than CON and LO treatments (p<0.05). In apparent ileal nutrient digestibility, DM digestibility was higher in MDG treatment than LO and MG treatments (p<0.05). GE digestibility was higher in MDG treatment than LO, MO and MG treatments (p<0.05). N digestibility of MDG treatment was greater than LO treatment (p<0.05). Also, the digestibility of crude fat was higher in MDG treatment than CON and LO treatments (p<0.05). In conclusion, mono-diglyceride can increase apparent total tract nutrient and apparent ileal nutrient digestibilities of DM, GE, N and crude fat.