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The first insight into black soldier fly meal in brown trout nutrition as an environmentally sustainable fish meal replacement
How potentially sustainable solutions may be unsustainable in practice: carrot pomaces in common carp nutrition
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of carrot pomaces dried at two temperatures as a feed component on growth performance, environmental sustainability, and meat quality in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Three diets were developed: a control without pomace (CON); CPL with 15.5% carrot pomace dried at 40°C and CPH with 23.6% carrot pomace dried at 120°C. A total of 240 two-year-old common carp (average body weight of individual: 1025 g) were randomly distributed into 12 tanks, four per treatment, including 20 fish per tank. The experiment was performed using an outdoor open flow aquaculture system. The growth trial lasted 60 days, after which fish samples were taken for analysis of meat quality parameters. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of the final body weight, protein efficiency ratio, or survival rate. However, in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio, fish fed the CPH diet exhibited significant worsening. Moreover, the fillets of fish from the CPH group exhibited a darker coloration compared to the CON diet. It is concluded that high temperature drying of carrot pomace added to carp diet negatively affected fish quality. It should be also emphasized that inclusion of the both carrot pomaces tested in this study significantly increased the usage of fish meal per kilogram of fish body weight gain. These results showed a reduced efficacy of using carrot pomace in practical and sustainable common carp nutrition.
The Effect of Solid-State Fermentation on the Nutritive Value of Rapeseed Cakes and Performance of Broiler Chickens
This study aimed to assess the applicability of eleven different products of solid-state fermentation of rapeseed cakes with commercial enzyme additives. Ground rapeseed cakes were mixed with water (1:2) and the enzymatic preparation (0.1%) according to the different variants and fermented at 25 °C for 24 h under anaerobic conditions. For fermentation, different enzymes were used: (1) α-amylase, (2) endo 1,4-β-xylanase, (3) endo-1,3(4)β-glucanase, (4) endo 1,4-β-xylanase, endo-1,3(4)β-glucanase, (5) α-amylase, endo-1,3(4)β-glucanase, (6) 6-phytase, (7) RONOZYME HiPhos 6-phytase, (8) liquid exogenous-6-phytase; and mixed combinations: (9) endo 1,4-β-xylanase, endo-1,3(4)β-glucanase, liquid exogenous-6-phytase, (10) α-amylase, endo-1,3(4)β-glucanase, liquid exogenous-6-phytase, and (11) α-amylase, endo 1,4-β-xylanase, endo-1,3(4)β-glucanase, liquid exogenous-6-phytase. After fermentation, the crude protein content in the products was similar, but the true protein content was significantly higher than in nonfermented rapeseed cakes (p < 0.05). Fermentation significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the levels of phytate phosphorous, raffinose family oligosaccharides, and glucosinolates in the products. In the next step, the most advantageous fermentation product obtained using liquid exogenous-6-phytase was selected in terms of nutritional value, produced on the technical scale, and incorporated into the diets for broilers. Six diets containing 12, 17, or 22% raw or fermented rapeseed cakes, respectively, were prepared. Up to 22% fermented rapeseed cakes did not adversely affect broiler production rates. Replacing raw rapeseed cakes with fermented products improved body weight gain in the grower phase, lowered feed intake in the finisher phase, and lowered the feed conversion ratio in all periods. A level of 22% of naturally fermented rapeseed cakes with liquid exogenous-6-phytase in the diet of broilers could be recommended.
The effects of a Bacillus licheniformis and phytase mixture added to broiler diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microecosystem
Abstract This study aims to evaluate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis and 6-phytase added alone or in combination to broiler chicken diets on the growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AID) of nutrients, microbial activity, and cecal bacterial communities. In total, 400 one-day-old female Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (10 replicate pens, 10 birds each). The following groups were defined: NC (negative control), basal diet without any feed additive supplementation; NC+Pro, basal diet with addition of the B. licheniformis preparation (500 g/t of diet); NC+Phy, basal diet with addition of phytase (200 g/t of diet); and NC+Pro+Phy, basal diet combined with both studied additives. B. licheniformis positively affected (P<0.05) the feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the first 10 d of bird rearing. Moreover, phytase supplementation elevated the FCR from 21 to 35 d. In the entire experiment, an interaction between phytase and probiotic was observed only in terms of decreasing the bird FI (P=0.005) without a negative effect on the FCR (P>0.05). Furthermore, the AID of ether extract was improved by phytase supplementation. In terms of the cecal microecology, both separately administered factors promoted Lactobacillaceae in the ceca. Interactions between probiotic preparation and phytase were noted that indicated a decreased Clostridiales population and favored Ruminococcaceae proliferation. It can be concluded that for the first time in the available literature, the favorable interactions between B. licheniformis and phytase resulted in improved performance and cecal microbiota changes in broilers.
The First Insight Into Full-Fat Superworm (Zophobas morio) Meal in Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) Diets: A Study on Multiple-Choice Feeding Preferences and Growth Performance
Abstract Insect meals are sustainable alternative protein sources in animal nutrition. However, the data on their application in petfood and ornamental fish nutrition are scarce. Thus the present study was undertaken to assess their usability in guppy (Poecilia reticulata) diets. The first experiment aimed to investigate the attractiveness of select insect meals for guppies, and the second evaluated superworm (Zophobas morio) meal monodiet effects. The first experiment (free-choice feeding test) lasted five days. Fish were given a choice between four attractants: fish meal, black soldier fly (Hermetia illuces) meal (HI), Madagascar cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) meal (MC), and superworm (Zophobas morio) meal (ZM). The preliminary part of the study showed that the most frequently chosen attractant throughout the entire free-choice feeding test period was ZM. Based on the obtained results, the second part of the study was designed as a growth test with the use of a ZM monodiet compared to commercial feed. The experiment lasted 90 days, and 150 guppy fry were used. The fish were randomly divided into two groups (CON – commercial feed, ZM – Zophobas morio meal). No effects of dietary treatment were found in terms of survival rate, fish body length, or fish body length gain. The present study shows that ZM was the most preferred attractant and that a monodiet based on insect meal can be successfully applied in guppy fry nutrition.
Dietary Fish Meal Replacement with Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor Larval Meals Improves the Growth Performance and Nutriphysiological Status of Ide (Leuciscus idus) Juveniles
The ide (Leuciscus idus) is a native European species of rheophilic cyprinid fish whose wild population status is dependent on conservation efforts, particularly regular restocking. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of including insect meals as a component in the diet of ide juveniles on their growth performance, feed utilization, and nutriphysiological status. Four diets were formulated: three with insect meals, HI–with 20% Hermetia illucens meal, TM–with 20% Tenebrio molitor meal, and ZM–with 20% Zophobas morio meal, and the control group diet, CON–fish meal with no insect component. The effects of the various diets on the efficiency of rearing ide juveniles were assessed based on fish growth parameters, feed utilization parameters, somatic indices, and intestinal and hepatopancreatic histomorphology. The highest increase in fish weight gain and the protein efficiency ratio was observed in the HI and TM groups, while the lowest values were observed in the CON and ZM groups. Comparable results were noted for the feed conversion ratio, which was most favorable in the HI and TM groups and increased in the ZM group. The use of black soldier fly and mealworm larval meal in the diets of ide juveniles had a positive effect on rearing results and overall fish health.
Cecal microbiota of broilers responds similarly to black soldier fly larvae fat and conventional dietary fat sources
This study aimed to compare the effects of black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) larvae (BSFL) fat with those of dietary fats commonly used in broiler chicken nutrition on gut pH and cecal microbiome. A total of 800 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to eight dietary groups, with each group consisting of 10 replicate pens of 10 birds each fed for 35 days. The study design was as follows: the basal diet was enriched with various dietary fats as the sole source of fat, including BSFL fat (as the reference group), soybean oil (SO), rapeseed oil (RO), palm oil (PO), palm kernel fatty acid distillate (PKFD), poultry fat (PF), pig lard (PL), and beef tallow (BT). At the end of the experiment (35 days), the digesta from the crop, gizzard, jejunum, and ceca were sampled for further analyses, including pH determination and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Compared with PKFD, PF, and BT, BSFL significantly reduced the crop pH (P = 0.005). Additionally, BSFL increased the gizzard pH (P = 0.006) relative to PKFD. No differences in alpha diversity were detected among the diets; however, beta diversity differed significantly between the BSFL and PKFD groups (P = 0.034). BSFL fat was associated with a significant reduction in the abundances of Proteobacteria (P = 0.011), Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.009), and Escherichia-Shigella (P = 0.009) compared with PKFD fat. LEfSe analysis revealed the following microbial markers responsive to BSFL treatment: total bacteria (P < 0.001), Rikenellaceae (P = 0.025), Peptococcaceae [uncultured genus] (P = 0.003), Rhodospirillales (P = 0.048), Alistipes (P = 0.025), the Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group (P = 0.018), the Clostridia vadin BB60 group (P = 0.032), and Alistipes sp. (P = 0.023). These findings suggest that BSFL positively affects the pH in the upper part of a bird’s gut compared with selected animal fats. Furthermore, BSFL enriched beneficial bacteria while inhibiting opportunistic pathogens in the cecal environment of broiler chickens.
Effect of chitosan on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fry growth performance, feed utilization and nutriphysiological status
Black Soldier Fly Meal as a Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota Remodelling Factor: A New Natural and Sustainable Source of Prebiotic Substances for Fish?
The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) plays a crucial role in the development, lifespan, physiology, barrier functions and immunity against pathogens in fish. One of the significant causes of fish mortality in production systems, which also generates huge financial losses, is pathogenic dieseases. Consequently, effectively managing disruptions in the microbiota could play a crucial role in mitigating economic losses across the sector. It was investigated the effect of an alternative raw material increasing inclusion—full‐fat Hermetia illucens larvae meal on the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome of Atlantic salmon. Thus, five experimental feeds were prepared: a control diet (CON) without the addition of black soldier fly full‐fat meal (BSFM) and with 30% fish meal (FM); BSFM5, with 5% addition of full‐fat BSFM and 27.1% FM; BSFM10, with 10% full‐fat BSFM and 24.3% FM; BSFM15, with 15% addition of full‐fat BSFM and 21.3% FM; and BSFM20, with 20% addition of full‐fat BSFM and 18.6% FM. After 60 days of growth experiment on Atlantic salmon presmolts, the contents of two sections of the GIT, proximal and distal, were gently sampled and subjected to next‐generation sequencing (NGS) to analyse the microbial populations. No significant differences were observed in the microbial compositions of the groups, irrespective of the intestinal section analysed. In the proximal and distal intestine, the CON group exhibited the highest number of distinct phyla. Increasing the inclusion of BSFM in the diet led to a reduction in the abundance of specific phyla. Similar results were noted at genus level. The BSFM5 and BSFM10 groups showed increase number in Enterococcus, while the Lactobacillus population were maintained at a high level. Due to abovementioned changes as well as the increased share of Bacilli populations, it may be concluded that up to 20% BSFM shares may have positive microbiota‐modulating effects. Thus, BSFM may be considered not only as a nutrient source but a functional feed material in fish diets also, due to its prebiotic effects observed in the study.
Aktualny stan wiedzy na temat żywienia ryb jesiotrowatych z uwzględnieniem alternatywnych materiałów paszowych
Effects of Hermetia illucens larvae full-fat meal and astaxanthin on the microbiome and histomorphology of the large intestine in piglets
This study evaluated the effects of Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae full-fat meal and astaxanthin (AST) on large intestine histomorphometry, microbiota activity, and composition in pigs. Forty-eight pigs (8.7 kg) were divided into six groups: control (0HI), 2.5% HI (2.5HI), 5% HI (5HI), 2.5% HI + AST (2.5HI+AST), 5% HI + AST (5HI+AST), and AST alone (AST). The experiment lasted from 35 to 70 days of age. HI meal increased mucosal thickness (p<0.01), crypt depth (p<0.05), and width (p<0.05). Goblet cell counts increased in the 2.5HI (p<0.05), while enterocyte numbers decrease in the AST group (p<0.01). Dietary HI meal reduced concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), including butyrate (p<0.05), whereas AST increased acetic acid levels in multiple intestinal regions (p<0.05). Both additives modified microbial populations: AST increased total bacterial counts (p<0.001), while 2.5% HI meal reduced the abundance of the Bacteroides–Prevotella cluster (p<0.001). Significant interactions were detected for Lactobacillus/Enterococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae (p<0.001). HI meal decreased p-cresol concentrations in the middle colon (p<0.05), whereas AST reduced phenol in the distal colon (p<0.05) and indole in the middle colon (p<0.05). AST increased ammonia levels in the proximal colon (p=0.001). These findings suggest that HI meal and AST modulate intestinal fermentation, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, and regulate microbial populations, potentially reducing harmful metabolites and odor emissions. Their dietary combination may have positive implications for intestinal health.
Establishing a Freshwater Turtle (Emydura subglobosa) Laboratory Line (FTLL) as a novel model species for research and education
<b>The Jardine River turtle (Emydura subglobosa) was selected as a potential model species for studies on freshwater turtles and general reptile physiology. Attempts to establish a freshwater turtle laboratory line were made when an adult pair of E. subglobosa was received in 2016 by the Laboratory of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture (Poznań University of Life Sciences). The first generation of offspring was obtained in 2017, and the second generation in 2023. In each generation, unrelated specimens were added to the animal cohort to avoid inbreeding. Husbandry regimes were established, and a basal diet for nutritional experiments was developed and manufactured by two methods, producing extruded feed and a gelatine-solidified variant. The establishment of the Freshwater Turtle Laboratory Line (FTLL) provides an opportunity to improve the development of husbandry techniques, increase knowledge of reptile physiology, and use laboratory-raised animals as model species for research and education.
Insects as a natural component of pheasant diets: effects of full-fat Hermetia illucens meal on egg production and quality, hatchability, and selected physicochemical egg indices
Substancje bioaktywne występujace w owadach jako potencjalne stymulatory wzrostu w żywieniu drobiu, cz.1
A meta-analysis of the effects and relationship between guanidinoacetic acid and the growth performance of broiler chickens
Wpływ zastosowania tłuszczu pozyskanego z larw Hermetia illucens w dietach drobiu na mikrobiotę przewodu pokarmowego
Dietary Supplementation with Spirulina platensis Modulates the Physiological Status and Bone Quality of Juvenile Ring-Necked Pheasants
This study evaluated the effects of dietary spirulina (Spirulina platensis) supplementation on the physiological status and bone quality of juvenile ring-necked pheasants. A total of 200 one-day-old chicks were randomly allocated to a control group fed a basal diet or to an experimental group fed a basal diet supplemented with 15 g of spirulina/kg feed and reared under identical conditions for 42 days. Growth performance, feed intake, the feed conversion ratio, selected carcass traits, meat and bone quality, and biochemical and hematological parameters were assessed. Pheasants receiving spirulina presented significantly greater body weights at four weeks of age. The experimental group also exhibited increased pH values in pectoral and thigh muscles and increased postmortem muscle temperature. Spirulina supplementation significantly improved tibia quality, as reflected by enhanced geometric, structural, and material bone properties. The birds fed spirulina presented increased plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations, whereas those in the control group exhibited increased malondialdehyde levels, indicating increased oxidative stress. In addition, spirulina increased the proportion of lymphocytes and reduced both the proportion and absolute number of monocytes. In conclusion, spirulina supplementation increased tibia bone strength, reduced oxidative stress, and had immunomodulatory effects on juvenile pheasants.
Bacillus licheniformis and phytase combination in broiler chicken diets: Effects on growth performance, digestibility coefficients, gut microbiome activities, and bone quality
The first case report of the Florida cooter (Pseudemys floridana) in Poland, along with an market analysis and comments on the online pet trade as a source of potential biological invasions
The threat posed by invasive alien turtle species to aquatic ecosystems in Poland increases annually. The spectrum of species recorded in the wild evolves and follows trends observed in the pet market. After the ban on the trade of slider turtles (Trachemys scripta), Pseudemys spp. dominated the market of pet turtles in Poland. Currently, released specimens are more and more frequently recorded in the wild, and the scale of their invasion may be similar or even higher than what is currently recorded for T. scripta. In 2025, the first report of a released Pseudemys floridana was recorded in Poznań, which is probably the first record of this species in Poland. The analysis of online offers of freshwater turtles present on the market shows that Pseudemys spp. represents almost 50% of all offers. Thus, a risk assessment for potential invasion should be evaluated, and probably the list of invasive species of concern for Poland should be reviewed, including Pseudemys spp.. However, no action against keeping it in private hands should be taken. The main preventive action should be a ban on the import of Pseudemys spp. to Poland.
