Growth, Hepatic Enzymatic Activity, and Quality of European Seabass Fed on Hermetia illucens and Poultry By-Product Meal in a Commercial Farm.

Protein meals from insects in combination with poultry by-product meal appear to be promising ingredients for replacing conventional proteins in the diets of carnivorous fish. The present study explored the effects on growth performance, hepatic enzymatic activity, and fillet physical and nutritional characteristics during a 66-day feeding trial performed on European seabass. A total of 3000 fish were distributed into three tanks, where the control group was fed with a commercial diet (CG) and a second group was fed in duplicate with the experimental diet (SSH) containing 10% Hermetia illucens larva meal, 30% poultry by-product meal, and <5.5 g/100 g of feed of marine origin proteins. All fish showed good growth performance. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities were higher in the SSH group than in the CG group. The fillet fatty acid profile was largely unaffected by diet, except for a few fatty acids. Fish fed the SSH diet had a lower C22:1n-11 content than CG, thus suggesting an increased ß-oxidation. The oxidative status of muscle lipids was not affected by the diet. In conclusion, the present study showed that European seabass can be successfully fed the SSH diet for two months in a commercial setting.

Enhancing Rearing of European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in Aquaponic Systems: Investigating the Effects of Enriched Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Prepupae Meal on Fish Welfare and Quality Traits.

Within the modern aquaculture goals, the present study aimed to couple sustainable aquafeed formulation and culturing systems. Two experimental diets characterized by 3 and 20% of fish meal replacement with full-fat spirulina-enriched black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae meal (HPM3 and HPM20, respectively) were tested on European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles during a 90-day feeding trial performed in aquaponic systems. The experimental diets ensured 100% survival and proper zootechnical performance. No behavioral alterations were evidenced in fish. Histological and molecular analyses did not reveal structural alterations and signs of inflammation at the intestinal level, highlighting the beneficial role on gut health of bioactive molecules typical of HPM or derived from the enriching procedure of insects' growth substrate with spirulina. Considering the quality traits, the tested experimental diets did not negatively alter the fillet's fatty acid profile and did not compromise the fillet's physical features. In addition, the results highlighted a possible role of spirulina-enriched HPM in preserving the fillet from lipid oxidation. Taken together, these results corroborate the use of sustainable ingredients (spirulina-enriched HPM) in aquaponic systems for euryhaline fish rearing.

Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal in Diet for Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum: Digestibility, Growth Performance and Economic Analysis of Feeds.

Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae is a prominent ingredient in aquafeeds due to its high protein and energy contents. This study evaluated the digestibility of full-fat BSF larvae meal (FF-BSFL) and its inclusion in diets for tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. The apparent digestibility coefficient of FF-BSFL for protein and energy was around of 88%, corresponding to 33.55% and 21.61 MJ kg-1 of digestible protein and energy, respectively. For the feeding trial, tambaqui juveniles (53.23 ± 1.07 g) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design (n = 4; 150 L tanks; 10 fish per tank). Fish were fed diets including 0%, 5.25%, 10.50%, and 15.75% FF-BSFL to apparent satiation for 60 days. Fish fed 10.50% FF-BSFL dietary inclusion showed higher weight gain, feed intake, final biomass, and relative growth rate. The 10.50% FF-BSFL diet presented the highest index of economic profitability. Weight gain fitted a third-degree equation and the optimum FF-BSFL inclusion level was estimated at 11.6%. However, FF-BSFL dietary inclusion up to 15.75% did not impair growth fish performance. FF-BSFL seems to be a promising source of protein and energy for omnivorous fish aquafeed.

Growth and Welfare Status of Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Post-Larvae Reared in Aquaponic Systems and Fed Diets including Enriched Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Prepupae Meal.

Due to the limited application of insect meal in giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture, the present study aimed to (i) produce spirulina-enriched full-fat black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae meal (HM) and (ii) test, for the first time, two experimental diets characterized by 3% or 20% of fish meal and fish oil replacement with full-fat HM (HM3 and HM20, respectively) on M. rosenbergii post-larvae during a 60-day feeding trial conducted in aquaponic systems. The experimental diets did not negatively affect survival rates or growth. The use of spirulina-enriched HM resulted in a progressive increase in α-tocopherol and carotenoids in HM3 and HM20 diets that possibly played a crucial role in preserving prawn muscle-quality traits. The massive presence of lipid droplets in R cells in all the experimental groups reflected a proper nutrient provision and evidenced the necessity to store energy for molting. The increased number of B cells in the HM3 and HM20 groups could be related to the different compositions of the lipid fraction among the experimental diets instead of a nutrient absorption impairment caused by chitin. Finally, the expression of the immune response and stress markers confirmed that the experimental diets did not affect the welfare status of M. rosenbergii post-larvae.

Spirulina-enriched Substrate to Rear Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Prepupae as Alternative Aquafeed Ingredient for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Diets: Possible Effects on Zootechnical Performances, Gut and Liver Health Status, and Fillet Quality.

In the present study, an organic substrate (coffee silverskin) enriched with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; 15% w/w), as a source of lipids and bioactive molecules, was used to rear the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae. Three grossly isonitrogenous, isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic experimental diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles were then produced: a control diet (HM0) mostly including fish meal and fish oil, and two other test diets named HM3 and HM20, in which 3 or 20% of the marine ingredients were substituted with full fat black soldier fly prepupae meal (HM), respectively. Experimental diets were provided for 6 weeks, and at the end of the trial the physiological responses and marketable traits of the fish were investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. Generally, all test diets were well accepted, and fish growth, gut and liver health status, and marketable characteristics were not impaired by the experimental diets. However, an increased immuno-related gene expression along with a slight reduction of fillet redness and yellowness was evident in fish from the HM20 group.

Effect of different stunning methods on rigor mortis, shape, energetic status and physical characteristics of Salmo carpio fillets.

BACKGROUND: Consumer interest in safeguarding animal welfare and increased demand for fresh aquatic products support the need to understand the effects of stunning methods used in aquaculture on the biochemical process affecting fish fillet quality. The present paper aimed at comparing electrical stunning (ES) and cold shock (ICE) in Salmo carpio, an Italian endemic under-investigated species. Rigor mortis evolution, fillet adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), shape, colour, pH and water holding capacity were assessed by integrating chemical and image analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-two fish (24 fish per treatment) were stunned by ES, ICE or anaesthesia (AN, used as control), then percussively slaughtered. ES and ICE hastened rigor mortis onset and resolution (21 and 28 h post mortem) compared to AN. This was confirmed by the faster ATP degradation in ES and ICE. Fillet shape features varied during rigor mortis, according to the stunning method, with the perimeter showing irreversible variation in ES and ICE groups. Initial circularity was recovered only in AN, while ICE and ES fillets showed significantly different values, between 0 and 192 h. CONCLUSION: ES is a promising stunning technique for S. carpio, but parameters should be optimized, because of the adverse effect on muscle activity which caused a fast pH drop, and the presence of blood spots in the fillets. Further studies are needed to understand whether fillet shape changes can interfere with filleting or fillet processing and consumer appreciation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Towards the Identification of a Suitable Commercial Diet for Carpione (Salmo carpio, Linnaeus 1758): A Multidisciplinary Study on Fish Performances, Animal Welfare and Quality Traits.

Carpione (Salmo carpio, Linnaeus 1758) is an endangered precious endemism of Lake Garda (Northern Italy), the largest Italian lake. To date, several bottlenecks about its culture remain unsolved, including the identification of a proper growth-out diet. The aim of the present study was to test four different grossly isolipidic, isoproteic, and isoenergetic diets in which the main ingredients had a different origin. Specifically, a diet currently used by local farmers for carpione culture, largely based on marine ingredients, was used as control (CTRL), while the other three diets were formulated by partially replacing marine ingredients with plant ones (VEG) or with different percentages of processed animal proteins (PAP1 and PAP2). The feeding trial was run in triplicate, over a three-month period. No significant differences in growth performance among the experimental groups were observed. However, remarkable histological alterations and inflammatory markers upregulation were observed in VEG group, while PAP inclusion played a role in attenuating inflammation and improving nutrient uptake. Fillet analyses highlighted significant differences in marketable traits and flesh fatty acid composition among the experimental groups, including the reduction of polyunsaturated fatty acids related to PAPs inclusion. In conclusion, PAPs used in the present study promoted S. carpio gut health and absorption capacity, while further studies are required to maintain proper quality traits of the final product.

Growth and Welfare of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Response to Graded Levels of Insect and Poultry By-Product Meals in Fishmeal-Free Diets.

This study compared the nutrient-energy retention, digestive function, growth performance, and welfare of rainbow trout (ibw 54 g) fed isoproteic (42%), isolipidic (24%), fishmeal-free diets (CV) over 13 weeks. The diets consisted of plant-protein replacement with graded levels (10, 30, 60%) of protein from poultry by-product (PBM) and black soldier fly H. illucens pupae (BSFM) meals, either singly or in combination. A fishmeal-based diet was also tested (CF). Nitrogen retention improved with moderate or high levels of dietary PBM and BSFM relative to CV (p < 0.05). Gut brush border enzyme activity was poorly affected by the diets. Gastric chitinase was up-regulated after high BSFM feeding (p < 0.05). The gut peptide and amino acid transport genes were differently regulated by protein source and level. Serum cortisol was unaffected, and the changes in metabolites stayed within the physiological range. High PBM and high BSFM lowered the leukocyte respiratory burst activity and increased the lysozyme activity compared to CV (p < 0.05). The BSFM and PBM both significantly changed the relative percentage of lymphocytes and monocytes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, moderate to high PBM and BSFM inclusions in fishmeal-free diets, either singly or in combination, improved gut function and nutrient retention, resulting in better growth performance and the good welfare of the rainbow trout.

Low dietary inclusion levels of Tenebrio molitor larva meal slightly modify growth performance, carcass and meat traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

BACKGROUND: Insect-derived proteins are a promising, valuable and permitted ingredient for poultry feed. However, more emphasis should be given to their effects on avian species different from chicken, such as quail (Coturnix coturnix), whose rearing represents an important activity. The present paper provides novel information about the impact of graded dietary levels of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal on quail growth and meat quality. RESULTS: Four diets were formulated with graded inclusion levels of TM, namely 1.65, 3.3 and 6.6 g on 100 g feed (T1.65, T3.3, T6.6, respectively) to partially replace the conventional proteins of a control diet (C). A total of 192 birds were allotted to one of the groups and fed for 35 days. The inclusion of TM meal linearly increased feed conversion ratio, and decreased carcass and breast weight. Texture and water holding capacity of meat were linearly reduced with increasing TM in diet, while fatty acid composition was not affected. However, the meat from quails fed diets including TM was subject to greater thermal damage than the C group; hence further studies are encouraged. CONCLUSION: TM meal inclusion at higher levels than 1.65% slightly impaired the growth performance of Japanese quails. Negligible effects on physical properties such as colour, texture, cooking loss and also on the fatty acid profile of the raw and cooked meat was found after including TM in quails' diet up to 3.3%. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pantanal yacare (Caiman yacare) tail fillets subjected to traditional hot smoking and liquid smoke.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hot smoking and liquid smoke on process yield, physicochemical properties, microbiological parameters, fatty acid profile, benzo(a)pyrene levels, and sensory profile of Pantanal yacare tail fillets. The fillets were subjected to two types of smoking processes: hot smoking and liquid smoke flavoring. RESULTS: The process yield of liquid-smoked fillets was higher (69.8%) compared to hot-smoked fillets (58.0%). All fillets were with good microbiological quality and low benzo(a)pyrene levels and were well accepted by consumers. The hot-smoked fillets and the liquid-smoked fillets presented 456.2 and 589.7 g kg-1 moisture, 262.3 and 263.7 g kg-1 crude protein, 218 and 85 g kg-1 total lipids, and 26.0 and 20.9 g kg-1 ash, respectively. The major fatty acids identified in the smoked tail fillets were palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids. CONCLUSION: The liquid-smoked fillets had lower lipid content, and higher process yield because of lower losses; thus, they proved to be more advantageous and practical to obtain than the hot-smoked fillets. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Honeybee Pollen and Its Supercritical Fluid Extract on Immune Response and Fillet's Quality of Farmed Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata).

The awareness of the correlation between administered diet, fish health and products' quality has led to the increase in the research for innovative and functional feed ingredients. Herein, a plant-derived product rich in bioactive compounds, such as honeybee pollen (HBP), was included as raw (HBP) and as Supercritical Fluid Extracted (SFE) pollen (HBP_SFE) in the diet for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). The experiment was carried out on 90 fish with an average body weight of 294.7 ± 12.8 g, divided into five groups, according to the administration of five diets for 30 days: control diet (CTR); two diets containing HBP at 5% (P5) and at 10% (P10) level of inclusion; two diets containing HBP_SFE, at 0.5% (E0.5) and at 1% (E1) level of inclusion. Their effects were evaluated on 60 specimens (336.2 ± 11.4 g average final body weight) considering the fish growth, the expression of some hepatic genes involved in the inflammatory response (il-1ß, il-6 and il-8) through quantitative real-time PCR, and physico-chemical characterization (namely color, texture, water holding capacity, fatty acid profile and lipid peroxidation) of the fish fillets monitored at the beginning (day 0) and after 110 days of storage at −20 °C. The results obtained showed that the treatment with diet E1 determined the up-regulation of il-1ß, il-6, and il-8 (p < 0.05); however, this supplementation did not significantly contribute to limiting the oxidative stress. Nevertheless, no detrimental effect on color and the other physical characteristics was observed. These results suggest that a low level of HBP_SFE could be potentially utilized in aquaculture as an immunostimulant more than an antioxidant, but further investigation is necessary.

Different Combinations of Butchery and Vegetable Wastes on Growth Performance, Chemical-Nutritional Characteristics and Oxidative Status of Black Soldier Fly Growing Larvae.

Hermetia illucens larvae (five days old) were farmed on broiler feed (control diet), a vegetable diet (V100), a 50% of vegetable diet + 50% of butchery wastes (V50 + B50), and a 75% of vegetable diet + 25% of butchery wastes (V75 + B25) to evaluate their suitability. Ten kilograms of substrate and 6000 larvae composed each replicate (nine per group). Larvae were weighed and measured every two days until the 25% developed into prepupae. Larval mortality and growing indexes were calculated. Substrates, larvae, and frass chemical composition were analyzed. Larvae oxidative status and stability were measured in hemolymph and body. The V100 larvae showed the lowest live weight, length, thickness, and growth rate but had low mortality rate and high substrate reduction index and protein conversion ratio. The V100 larvae had similar protein to and lower lipids than the control ones, while the V50 + B50 and V75 + B25 larvae contained higher lipids and lower protein than the others. Despite the vegetable wastes, at different levels, the reactive oxygen species content decreased in hemolymph, and the V100 diet depressed growth performance and should be avoided. The use of butchery wastes combined with vegetable ingredients can be a suitable alternative to balance the high level of lipid and the low content of protein.

In vivo performances, ileal digestibility, and physicochemical characterization of raw and boiled eggs as affected by Tenebrio molitor larvae meal at low inclusion rate in laying quail (Coturnix japonica) diet.

A total of 120, twelve wk old female Japanese quails were divided into 4 groups (6 replicates of 5 birds each). The control group (CON) fed a corn-soybean diet; in the other 3 groups, Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (TML) replaced 5, 10, and 20% of the soybean protein (T5, T10, and T20). The laying performance and egg quality were studied for 54 d. The data were processed by a one-way ANOVA; the orthogonal contrast analysis was performed to test the linear, quadratic and cubic effects among the means. The laying rate and egg mass linearly decreased (P < 0.01) as the TML inclusion level in the diet increased. The egg weight and feed conversion ratio linearly increased from the control to T20 diet (P < 0.01) while the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein linearly decreased (P < 0.05). The albumen and yolk weight showed a linear increase (P < 0.01) due to dietary TML inclusion, while the eggshell weight showed the opposite (P < 0.05). The estimated activity of Δ9-desaturase (C16:0), Δ5+Δ6-desaturase on both polyunsaturated fatty acid n-6 and n-3 linearly increased (P < 0.05) as affected by dietary TML. The boiled yolk lightness (L*) showed higher values in T5 and T10 groups (quadratic contrast, P < 0.01). The yolk redness index (a*) showed lower values in T5 and T20 than control and T10 groups (cubic contrast, P < 0.01). The albumen L*, a*, and b* indexes showed a significant effect of the quadratic contrast (P < 0.05). In addition, the albumen b* index showed a significant effect of the cubic contrast (P < 0.01). The total lipids showed the highest values (cubic contrast, P < 0.05) in the T10 and T20 groups. The total monounsaturated fatty acids linearly increased (P < 0.05) according to the increase of dietary TML. The best inclusion level of defatted TML meal for laying quails seems to be 1.4% of diet, corresponding to the T5 diet.

A Multipurpose Leguminous Plant for the Mediterranean Countries: Leucaena leucocephala as an Alternative Protein Source: A Review.

In tropical and subtropical regions, as well as in the internal and/or marginal Mediterranean areas, one of the most important problems related to animal production is represented by the inadequate nutritional supplies. The low productivity of the animals, often connected to reduced annual growth, is, in fact, not infrequently attributable to the low nitrogen content and the high fiber content of the local plant species and crop residues that constitute the base ingredients of the rations commonly adopted by farmers. The use of the supplementation with arboreal and shrub fodder, although often containing anti-nutritional factors and toxins that limit its use, could be a profitable way to alleviate the nutritional deficiencies of the basic diets. Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit is native to Central America and widely naturalized in the majority of Latin American countries. It is a legume suitable for tropical and subtropical environments including the countries of the Mediterranean area. Moreover, its spread is desirable if we consider the multiple uses to which it is suitable, the considerable amount of biomass produced, and its role in preserving the environment. The aim of this work was to highlight the characteristics of Leucaena that can justify its wide diffusion. A structured analysis of strengths and weaknesses was performed accordingly. Being a good protein source for feeding livestock, it could be a species to be introduced in the inland areas of the Mediterranean countries as an alternative protein source; the limit represented by the presence of anti-nutritional factors could be overcome by feed processing and by launching targeted research programs.

Appetite Regulation, Growth Performances and Fish Quality Are Modulated by Alternative Dietary Protein Ingredients in Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Culture.

By answering the need for increasing sustainability in aquaculture, the present study aimed to compare growth, gene expression involved in appetite regulation, physical characteristics, and chemical composition of Sparus aurata fed alternative protein sources. Fish were fed ten iso-proteic, iso-lipidic, and isoenergetic diets: a vegetable-based (CV) and a marine ingredient-rich (CF) diet were set as control diets. The others were prepared by replacing graded levels (10, 20 or 40%) of the vegetable proteins in the CV with proteins from a commercial defatted Hermetia illucens pupae meal (H), poultry by-product meal (PBM) singly (H10, H20, H40, P20, P40) or in combination (H10P30), red swamp crayfish meal (RC10) and from a blend (2:1, w:w) of Tisochrysis lutea and Tetraselmis suecica (MA10) dried biomasses. The increase in ghre gene expression observed in MA10 fed fish matched with increased feed intake and increased feed conversion ratio. Besides, the MA10 diet conferred a lighter aspect to the fish skin (p < 0.05) than the others. Overall, no detrimental effects of H, PBM, and RC meal included in the diets were observed, and fish fatty acid profile resulted as comparable among these groups and CV, thus demonstrating the possibility to introduce H, PBM, and RC in partial replacement of vegetable proteins in the diet for Sparus aurata.

Processed Animal Proteins from Insect and Poultry By-Products in a Fish Meal-Free Diet for Rainbow Trout: Impact on Intestinal Microbiota and Inflammatory Markers.

Sustainability of aquaculture is tied to the origin of feed ingredients. In search of sustainable fish meal-free formulations for rainbow trout, we evaluated the effect of Hermetia illucens meal (H) and poultry by-product meal (P), singly (10, 30, and 60% of either H or P) or in combination (10% H + 50% P, H10P50), as partial replacement of vegetable protein (VM) on gut microbiota (GM), inflammatory, and immune biomarkers. Fish fed the mixture H10P50 had the best growth performance. H, P, and especially the combination H10P50 partially restored α-diversity that was negatively affected by VM. Diets did not differ in the Firmicutes:Proteobacteria ratio, although the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria was reduced in H and was higher in P and in the fishmeal control. H had higher relative abundance of chitin-degrading Actinomyces and Bacillus, Dorea, and Enterococcus. Actinomyces was also higher in H feed, suggesting feed-chain microbiome transmission. P increased the relative abundance of protein degraders Paeniclostridium and Bacteroidales. IL-1ß, IL-10, TGF-ß, COX-2, and TCR-ß gene expression in the midgut and head kidney and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) revealed that the diets did not compromise the gut barrier function or induce inflammation. H, P, and H10P50 therefore appear valid protein sources in fishmeal-free aquafeeds.

Critical Perspective of Animal Production Specialists on Cell-Based Meat in Brazil: From Bottleneck to Best Scenarios.

Recently, many studies regarding consumer perception of cell-based meat have been published. However, the opinion of the professionals involved in animal production also seems relevant. In particular, veterinarians and animal scientists may be important players in the new cell-based meat production, acting as proponents or barriers to this major improvement for farm animal welfare. Therefore, our aim is to analyse the knowledge and perspective of Brazilian veterinarians and animal scientists regarding cell-based meat. Veterinarians (76.8%; 209/272) and animal scientists (23.2%; 63/272) responded to an online survey. Logistic regression, latent class and logit models were used to evaluate objective answers, and the Discourse of the Collective Subject method was used to interpret open-ended answers. Specialists who were women (62.5%; 170/272), veterinarians (76.8%; 209/272), vegetarians (7.0%; 19/272) and vegans (1.1%; 3/272) were more supportive of cell-based meat. Lack of knowledge and the connection with artificiality, the most frequent spontaneous word associated with cell-based meat by all respondents, were the main negative points highlighted. Thus, it seems fundamental to offer higher education to veterinarians and animal scientists regarding cell-based meat, since engaging them with this novel technology may mitigate both the resistance and its negative consequences for the professionals, society, the animals involved and the environment.

Quality of Eggs and Albumen Technological Properties as Affected by Hermetia Illucens Larvae Meal in Hens' Diet and Hen Age.

The impact on the egg quality and the albumen technological properties were here evaluated as affected by diet and hen age (A) of 162 Hy-line Brown hens. Three isoproteic and isoenergetic diets were formulated respecting the requirements for Hy-line hens: the control diet (C) based on conventional protein sources, and other two where vegetable proteins were substituted at 25% (HI25) and 50% (HI50) by partially defatted Hermetia illucens larva meal (HI). Ten eggs collected from each group at the hen ages of 20, 27, and 35 weeks were evaluated. The eggshell percentage and thickness were significantly reduced in the HI50 eggs (11.93% and 476 µm, respectively) compared to the C (12.34%, 542 µm) and HI25 (12.54%, 516 µm). The aging lowered (p = 0.05) the protein and increased (p < 0.001) water contents of the eggs. Although the foam capacity of the HI50 albumen was halved than the C group (p < 0.05), it was unaffected by the aging. Additionally, this did not impair the volume and the textural properties of a batter (angel cake) in which it was included. On the opposite, the textural characteristics of the cake made by the oldest hens (i.e., 35 wk-old) were compromised. In conclusion, the diet and hen age differently affected egg quality and its technological properties, which could be positive to obtain eggs to destine directly to the market or to the egg industry.

Total replacement of dietary fish meal with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae does not impair physical, chemical or volatile composition of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

BACKGROUND: The aquafeed sector has been replacing conventional dietary ingredients with more economic and eco-friendly ingredients. Insects embody a promising alternative as a result of being highly nutritious and showing traits leading to a circular bioeconomy. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) at the sea-water stage were fed diets with a partial or complete substitution of fishmeal with meal of Hermetia illucens larvae reared on a media containing Ascophyllum nodosum mixed with organic wastes (60:40). The present study aimed to assess the quality of fillets by characterizing its physico-chemical traits with conventional and innovative methods, such as the proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometer technique, allowing the analysis of samples at room temperature. Finally, steamed fillets underwent a consumer test to investigate the liking of consumers and their intention of re-consumption. RESULTS: The main findings showed that a complete dietary substitution of fishmeal with H. illucens larvae meal did not impair the physico-chemical quality of A. salmon fillets. Notably, neutral n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) slightly but significantly increased in the fillets of A. salmon fed H. illucens, also as a result of the additional fish oil present in the diets containing insect. The volatile organic profile was not altered by the different diets. The consumer-liking test revealed that Italian consumers appreciated the tested salmon irrespective of the administered feed. CONCLUSION: Tailoring the insect fatty acid profile by rearing the larvae on a PUFA-rich substrate, coupled with a dietary modulation of the oily source, can successfully maintain or even increase the cardioprotective characteristics of fillets. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.