Feed Trial Successfully Replaces Fishmeal with Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Farmed Atlantic Salmon

A new study in Science\r\nof Food and Agriculture explores the viability of black soldier fly\r\nlarvae as a sustainable fishmeal replacement for Atlantic salmon aquaculture.\r\nThe researchers wanted to determine if salmon fed black soldier fly larvae had\r\ncomparable quality indicators to salmon reared with conventional aquafeed.

The researchers fed sea-water stage Atlantic salmon a\r\nfishmeal-free diet. The feed used black soldier fly larvae that had been reared\r\non kelp media and mixed organic wastes (at a 60:40 ratio). When the fish were\r\nprocessed, the researchers analysed the nutrition content of the finished\r\nfillets. The fillets also underwent a side-by-side consumer taste-test to\r\ndetermine whether consumers would purchase salmon raised on insect-based feed.

Results

The researchers found that completely replacing fishmeal\r\nwith insect meal didn’t impar the physio-chemical quality of the salmon\r\nfillets. When the finished fillets were analysed, they showed an increase in\r\npolyunsaturated fatty acids – indicating a potential cardioprotective benefit\r\nfor humans.

During the consumer taste test, the respondents could not\r\nidentify which sample had been reared on insect meal. The respondents reported\r\nthat they enjoyed the salmon and would consider purchasing the fillets if they\r\nwere available commercially.

Background

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For aquaculture to remain sustainable, the aquafeed sector\r\nneeds to find an alternative to fishmeal. Fishmeal, a key ingredient in\r\naquaculture feed, is nutritionally dense and can be easily digested by the\r\nfish. However, relying on the commodity has economic and ecological drawbacks.\r\nHigh quality fishmeal is expensive and creating the product depletes wild fish\r\nstocks. Fishmeal alternatives are on the market, but these products tend to\r\nyield poorer results in terms of performance and health outcomes.

Source : The Fish Site