Now showing 1 - 20 of 51
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Publication

Black Soldier Fly Larva Fat in Broiler Chicken Diets Affects Breast Meat Quality

2023, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Rawski, Mateusz, Mikołajczak, Zuzanna, Szymkowiak, Piotr, Stuper-Szablewska, Kinga, Józefiak, Damian

This study aimed to evaluate the dose-dependent effect of black soldier fly (BFL) larvae fat inclusion in broiler chicken diets on breast meat quality. Four hundred 1-day-old male birds (Ross 308) were assigned to the following four treatments (10 replicates with 10 birds each): HI0, a basal diet without dietary fat inclusion, and HI03, HI06, and HI09, basal diets enriched with 30 g/kg, 60 g/kg, and 90 g/kg of BSF larvae fat, respectively. Principal component analysis showed noticeable differentiation between the selected plant, animal, and insect-origin dietary fats. The BSF fat exhibits a strong relationship with saturated fatty acids (SFAs), resulting in a high concentration of C12:0 and C14:0. The fatty acid (FA) profile in breast muscle obtained from broilers fed diets with increasing insect fat inclusion showed a significant linear effect in terms of C12:0, C15:0, C18:2, C18:3n6, and total FAs. The proportion of dietary insect fat had a quadratic effect on meat color. The water-holding capacity indices have stayed consistent with the meat color changes. Throughout the experiment, favorable growth performance results were noticed in HI06. The present study confirmed that BSF larvae fat negatively affects the n3 level in meat. However, the physicochemical indices related to consumer acceptance were not altered to negatively limit their final decision, even when a relatively high inclusion of insect fat was used.

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Publication

The effects of a Bacillus licheniformis and phytase mixture added to broiler diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microecosystem

2023, Trela, Jacek, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Rawski, Mateusz, Mazurkiewicz, Jan, Józefiak, Damian

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.

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Insect fat influences broiler performance, meat quality, and the cecal microbiota similarly to plant oils rather than animal fats

2025, Aslam, Muhammad Rumman, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Rawski, Mateusz, Szymkowiak, Piotr, Stuper-Szablewska, Kinga, Kołodziejski, Paweł, Mikuła, Robert, Dankowiakowska, Agata, Józefiak, Damian

Abstract We evaluated the addition of Hermetia illucens larvae (BSFL) fat to broiler diets compared to that of 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) on performance, meat quality, and cecal microbiota abundance. BSFL addition reduced the feed conversion ratio compared to PO, PF, and BT addition and improved nutrient digestibility at 14 days and 28 days of age. BSFL addition enhanced broiler immune responses compared with SO, PO, and PL by increasing IgA levels; compared to PO by increasing IgG levels; and compared to PL by increasing IgY and IL-6 levels. Moreover, broiler free triiodothyronine levels increased when BSFL was added. Reduced drip loss after 7 days was observed in the RO, PO, PF, PL, and BT groups, while the salt-induced water uptake in the PL group was greater than that in the BSFL group. Compared with the SO group, BSFL addition increased C18:3 and overall n-3 FAs in breast meat. BSFL fat in broiler diets leads to outcomes that are more similar to those of plant oils than to those of animal fats, particularly regarding nutrient digestiblity and immune response.

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Replacement of soybean oil with cold-extracted fat from Hermetia illucens in young turkey diets: Effects on performance, nutrient digestibility, selected organ measurements, meat and liver tissue traits, intestinal microbiota modulation, and physiological and immunological status

2022, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Sypniewski, Jędrzej, Mikołajczak, Zuzanna, Rawski, Mateusz, Pruszyńska-Oszmałek, Ewa, Sassek, Maciej, Kołodziejski, Paweł, Józefiak, Damian

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Patent

Linia technologiczna do odchowu lub hodowli owadów, modułowy system linii technologicznych, sposób odchowu lub hodowli owadów oraz zastosowanie linii technologicznej i systemu modułowego do odchowu lub hodowli owadów

2018, JAKUB URBAŃSKI, DAMIAN JÓZEFIAK, JAN MAZURKIEWICZ

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Black Soldier Fly Full-Fat Meal in Atlantic Salmon Nutrition – Part A: Effects on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Selected Nutriphysiological Traits and Production Sustainability in Fries

2023, Mikołajczak, Zuzanna, Mazurkiewicz, Jan, Rawski, Mateusz, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Józefiak, Agata, Świątkiewicz, Sylwester, Józefiak, Damian

Abstract Black soldier fly larva meal (BSFM) application as an innovative feed material has been developed in aquaculture nutrition. However, recent scientific literature is still lacking in the case of insect meal effects on different stages of salmonid fish, and the vast majority of research is focused on farmed Atlantic salmon. Therefore, the holistic approach was undertaken in the cycle of two studies carried out: on fries and pre-smolts. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fish meal (FM) replacement by full-fat BSFM in Atlantic salmon fry diets on the growth performance, feed utilization, crude protein and crude fat digestibility, somatic indices, histomorphology of intestines, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, pellet quality was assessed. Two experiments were performed on 360 Atlantic salmon fries – each of which lasted 60 days. For the first experiment, 240 individuals were distributed to four experimental groups: six replicates (tanks) per group and 10 fish per tank. For the second experiment, 120 individuals were distributed to four experimental groups: three replicates (tanks) per group and 10 fish per tank were used. The following groups were applied: CON – without the addition of full-fat BSFM and with 39% FM; BSFM5 – with 5% addition of full-fat BSFM and 36.1% FM; BSFM10 – with 10% full-fat BSFM and 33.3% FM; BSFM15 – with 15% addition of full-fat BSFM and 30.3% FM. The present study showed satisfactory results of BSFM inclusion at the levels of 5% and 10% as a replacement for fish meal in feeds for Atlantic salmon fries. No negative effects on growth performance, feed utilization, protein and fat digestibility, or intestinal structure were recorded. Simultaneously, insect meal inclusion in Atlantic salmon diets significantly improved the environmental sustainability of the feed. In the case of BSFM15, decreases in body weight gain, protein lipid efficiency ratio, and lipid efficiency ratio, as well as increases in feed conversion ratio, were observed. Therefore, the use of shares higher than 10% of BSFM in Atlantic salmon fries may not be recommended.

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Research Project

Rola tłuszczu pozyskanego z larw Hermetia illucens w żywieniu drobiu – od wartości pokarmowej do statusu zdrowotnego kurcząt rzeźnych.

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Publication

Cecal microbiota of broilers responds similarly to black soldier fly larvae fat and conventional dietary fat sources

2025, Aslam, Muhammad Rumman, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Szymkowiak, Piotr, Ciesielska, Liliana, Rawski, Mateusz, Mikuła, Robert, Józefiak, Damian

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.

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Publication

Available for millions of years but discovered through the last decade: Insects as a source of nutrients and energy in animal diets

2022, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Rawski, Mateusz, Mikołajczak, Zuzanna, Homska, Natalia, Jankowski, Jan, Ognik, Katarzyna, Józefiak, Agata, Mazurkiewicz, Jan, Józefiak, Damian

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The effect of different medium-chain fatty acids, calcium butyrate, and salinomycin on performance, nutrient utilization and gastrointestinal tract of chicken of Polish Green-Legged Partridge hen

2022, Perz, Katarzyna, Kaczmarek, Sebastian, Józefiak, Damian, Nowaczewski, Sebastian, Bogucka, Joanna, Ziółkowska, Ewa, Górecki, Marcin, Hejdysz, Marcin

Abstract The present study aimed to determine the effect of diets supplemented by feed additives, on the growth performance and digestive tract functioning in chicken of Green-Legged Partridge hen (GLPH). Two types of diets were used. Both the “low-digestible” (LD) diet characterized by high level of crude fiber and lard, and the “high-digestible” (HD) diet characterized by low content of crude fiber and soybean oil were supplemented by different additives such as 0.34% DM (dry matter) salinomycin, 0.30% DM medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), 1.00% DM calcium butyrate (CB), or 0.85% DM medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). The experiment was conducted on 960 one-day-old male chickens of GLPH, randomly divided into 10 treatment groups. One group consisted of 12 replications (each with 8 birds). Chickens fed HD diet presented significantly higher body weight gain (BWG) in 15–56 days and also 0–56 days of experiment and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) during whole time (0–56 days) of experiment (P<0.05). Addition of CB and MCFA did not affect the differences in BWG (15–56; 0–56 days) and FCR (15–56 days) in comparison with the control diet. Significant interaction between the type of diet and additives (P<0.05) was observed for feed intake (FI) throughout the experiment. The highest FI was found on LD diet with CB. On LD diet, all additives resulted in significantly worse nitrogen retention, however, on HD diet, it was observed only for salinomycin. The additives had no impact on fat digestibility when chickens were fed HD diet. There was significant (P<0.05) lower-fat digestibility when LD diet with MCT, CB, and MCFA was used. The greatest value of nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEN) was found on HD diet (P<0.05). The addition of MCT, CB, and MCFA increased the percentage share of ileum, and MCT also significantly increased the percentage share of the liver. The lactic acid bacteria and C. perfringens counts were lower on HD diet (P<0.05). The addition of MCT and CB increased the count of lactic acid bacteria in caeca (P<0.05). Many interactions between experimental factors in this experiment showed that the efficacy of using different feed additives depends on the type of diet. The results suggest that MCFA may be the most beneficial feed additive for GLPH chicken as an alternative for antibiotic growth promoters (AGP).

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Publication

Black Soldier Fly Meal as a Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota Remodelling Factor: A New Natural and Sustainable Source of Prebiotic Substances for Fish?

2025, Rawski, Mateusz, Mazurkiewicz, Jan, Mikołajczak, Zuzanna, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Skrzypczak, Paula, Szymkowiak, Piotr, Józefiak, Damian

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.

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Patent

Dodatek paszowy o właściwościach przeciwdrobnoustrojowych, mieszanka paszowa, zastosowanie dodatku paszowego do wytwarzania mieszanki paszowej

2020, DAMIAN JÓZEFIAK, ANNA SIP

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The Effect of Solid-State Fermentation on the Nutritive Value of Rapeseed Cakes and Performance of Broiler Chickens

2023, Zaworska-Zakrzewska, Anita, Kasprowicz-Potocka, Małgorzata, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Józefiak, Damian

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.

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Publication

Implementation of a metabolizable energy regression model for black soldier fly larvae fat in broiler chicken diets: effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and selected physiological indices

2024, Kierończyk, B., Kaczmarek, S. A., Hejdysz, M., Szymkowiak, P., Aslam, M. R., Rawski, M., Kołodziejski, P. A., Mikuła, R., Stuper-Szablewska, K., Józefiak, D.

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Patent

FEED FOR POULTRY AND METHOD OF PREPARATION THEREOF

2020, Damian JÓZEFIAK, Jan MAZURKIEWICZ, Jakub URBANSKI

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Patent

Sposób bioutylizacji produktów ubocznych przemysłu rolno-spożywczego oraz zastosowania mieszanki paszowej do bioutylizacji produktów ubocznych przemysłu rolno-spożywczego poprzez hodowlę/chów owadów z rzędu Coleoptera i/lub Blattodea

2021, DAMIAN JÓZEFIAK, JAN MAZURKIEWICZ, JAKUB URBAŃSKI

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Patent

System do hodowli owadów, inkubacji jaj owadów i odchowu larw owadów, sposób go wykorzystujący i jego zastosowanie

2021, DAMIAN JÓZEFIAK, Jan Mazurkiewicz, Jakub Urbański, Aleksander POJASEK

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Publication

Zastosowanie owadów w żywieniu psów i kotów

2024, Szymkowiak Piotr, Skrzypczak, Paula, Mikołajczak, Zuzanna, Rawski, Mateusz, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Józefiak, Damian

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Publication

Hermetia illucens fat affects the gastrointestinal tract selected microbial populations, their activity, and the immune status of broiler chickens

2022, Kierończyk, Bartosz, Rawski, Mateusz, Mikołajczak, Zuzanna, Leciejewska, Natalia, Józefiak, Damian

Abstract The present study investigated the effect of Hermetia illucens larvae (BSFL) fat, derived using supercritical CO2 extraction and added to broiler chickens’ diets as a partial (50%) or total replacement for commonly used soybean oil, on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbial population, its activity, and selected physiological and immune traits. A total of 576 one-day-old female Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments with 16 replicates each. The following treatments were applied: SO – 100% soybean oil, BSFL50 – a mixture of BSFL and soybean oils in a 50:50 ratio, and BSFL100 – 100% BSFL fat. Digesta samples from the crop, jejunum and caeca were collected for further analyses, i.e., pH measurements, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. Additionally, the selected plasma biochemical parameters and immunological traits were assessed. In general, the implementation of BSFL fat in broilers’ diets resulted in increased proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacterial populations in the crop, such as Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides–Prevotella cluster, and Clostridium perfringens. Furthermore, BSFL100 enhanced microbial activity via total SCFA production and lowered the pH in this segment. However, no detrimental effects were observed in terms of other GIT segments, i.e., the jejunal and cecal microecosystems. The strongest impact on reduction of select components of the microbial population in the cecum was observed with the BSFL50 treatment for potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides–Prevotella cluster, while commensal populations were also limited, i.e., Bacillus spp., C. leptum subgroup, and C. coccoides–Eubacterium rectale cluster. Additionally, BSFL100 reduced the cholesterol concentration in the blood, while both experimental treatments decreased the ALT level. In conclusion, due to the insufficient release of lauric acid from the BSFL fat in the crop, an adverse shift in the microbiota can be noted. However, a positive suppressive effect on the select components of the cecal microbiota, as well as improvement of liver health suggests implying the BSFL fat in broiler nutrition.

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Publication

Wpływ zastosowania tłuszczu pozyskanego z larw Hermetia illucens w dietach drobiu na mikrobiotę przewodu pokarmowego

2026, Szymkowiak, Piotr, Aslam, Muhammad Rumman, Klinger, Zofia, Ciesielska, Liliana, Praska, Daria, Józefiak, Damian, Kierończyk, Bartosz