Production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae-based formulations with differentiated fatty acid profiles.

The aquaculture sector is expanding rapidly and needs an increasing supply of fishery products. To ensure an ecological transition of this sector, alternative feed ingredients are required for fish nutrition. Potential alternatives include insects, particularly the black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens L. 1758), which is being increasingly targeted for their nutritional qualities and their sustainable production practices. BSF have a well-balanced amino acid profile; however, their fatty acid profile is not sufficiently balanced for most aquafeed formulations but can be modulated through their feed. In this study, two different batches of BSF prepupae (BSFP) were firstly produced: BSFP with a standard ω3 content (C18:3n-3 ≈ 1.36%) and ω3-enriched BSFP (C18:3n-3 ≈ 9.67%). Then, three isoproteic, -lipidic and -energetic trout feeds were formulated and produced: one control and two feeds containing 75% BSF meal as a substitute for fish meal (standard vs ω3-enriched-BSF). Finally, a trout feeding trial (n = 3 for each feed batch) in a recirculating aquaculture system was carried out for 75 days. BSFP meal inclusion in trout diets did not impact most nutritional and growth parameters of trout compared to the control; however, the coefficient of fatness increased, weight gain decreased and fatty acid profiles of fillets were altered. In conclusion, this study presents a more sustainable model of trout production by including insects from bioconversion of local byproducts in aquafeed.

Varietal susceptibility of maize to larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera; Bostrichidae), based on grain physicochemical parameters.

Maize (Zea mays L) is one of main nutrients sources for humans and animals worldwide. In Africa, storage of maize ensures food resources availability throughout the year. However, it often suffers losses exceeding 20% due to insects such as the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera; Bostrichidae), major pest of stored maize in the tropical countries. This study aims to select resistant varieties to reduce maize storage losses and explain the physicochemical parameters role in grains susceptibility. In the first study, maize grains were artificially infested under no-choice method with insects. Susceptibility parameters such as weight loss, grain damage, number of emerged insects, median development time and susceptibility index varied significantly through maize varieties. Dobie susceptibility index (SI) was assessed as a major indicator of resistance. The most resistant varieties were Early-Thaï, DMR-ES and Tzee-Yellow. Conversely, Synth-9243, Obatampa and Synth-C varieties were susceptible. SWAN, Across-Pool and Tzee-White were classified as moderately resistant varieties. The insect reproductive potential was significantly different in the nine maize varieties and Early-Thaï, DMR-ES and Tzee-Yellow varieties were the least favourable host. To assess the relationship between grains physicochemical characteristics and varietal susceptibility, moisture, total phenolics, palmitic acid, proteins, amylose, density and grain hardness were evaluated according to standardized methods. Palmitic acid, SI, insects emerged and grain damage were significantly and positively correlated with each other, and negatively correlated with grains hardness, phenolics and amylose contents. Maize susceptibility index was significantly and negatively correlated to amylose, and phenolics contents and positively correlated to palmitic acid content. This study identified three resistant maize varieties to P. tuncatus and revealed that the major factors involved in this resistance were hardness, phenolic and amylose contents of grains.

Morphological, structural and functional properties of starch granules extracted from the tubers and seeds of Sphenostylis stenocarpa.

Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms, is a legume widely recognized in Africa for its edible starchy tuber and seeds. In the present morphological, structural and functional properties of starch extracted from the tubers and seeds of a same accession of this plant were characterized and compared. With smaller and more angular granules, tuber starch displayed higher resistance toward amylolysis and gelatinization than seed starch. The amylolysis of seed starch resulted in fragmented granules with typical layered structures of growth rings. During their hydrothermal treatments, both tuber and seed starches showed condensed ghosts even at 95°C. This high resistance toward hydrothermal degradation was considered as the basis of the typical pasting properties of these two materials. Both seed and tuber starch exhibited A-type crystalline pattern. Under non-oxidative combustion tuber starch presented a degradation peak at 310°C while seed starch was degraded around 302°C.

Structural and physicochemical characterization of Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms tuber starch.

Several characteristics of African Yam Bean tuber starch (AYB) were studied and compared with that of a well-known native potato starch (P). The diameter of AYB granules ranged from 5.7µ to 49µ with a median at 19.5µ. During its pasting, AYB exhibited a low peak of viscosity in accordance with its low granules swelling and disintegration capacity. The gelatinization temperature of AYB was 75.2°C while that of P was 60.4°C. AYB was observed to be more stable during thermo-gravimetrical Analysis. Its degradation peak was observed at 308°C while that of P was 303°C. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that AYB belongs to the A-type crystalline group instead of C-type as claimed for several legumes starches. The stability of AYB and its capacity to structure starch-water systems make this resource an interesting ingredient for new food and non-food products.

Chemical characterisation and in vitro assessment of the nutritive value of co-products yield from the corn wet-milling process.

The chemical characteristics of co-products recovered during a laboratory-scale wet milling procedure as well as that of whole corn flour were characterised and their digestibility and fermentability value determined using a 2 steps in vitro digestibility and fermentation model of the pig digestive tract. Five co-products differing in their chemical composition were collected and analysed. These co-products differed in their in vitro dry matter Digestibility and in their kinetic of fermentation. High coefficients of digestibility were observed for starchy samples, while low coefficients of digestibility were observed for samples rich in lignocellulosic components. Fermentation patterns of samples analysed were different as well as the profile of volatile fatty acids produced during the fermentation. The production of straight-chain fatty acids produced was significantly correlated with the proportion of starch in the sample, while branched-chain fatty acids were correlated to proteins concentration of samples.