Improving zootechnical performance with insect
Competition with other protein sources is the main challenge facing the insect protein industry. Maximising rearing performance by providing insects with better growing conditions and nutritional supplements are key factors to increasing food conversion and improving competitiveness with other protein sources, such as soybean flour and fishmeal.
Larval growth performance
The supply of high-quality live primary yeast helps boost larvae growth in both BSF (Black Soldier Fly) and YMW (Yellow Mealworm). Actisaf® Sc 47 improves food conversion rates when added to the substrate at 0.2% concentration. It has been demonstrated that YMW increases its individual weight by 28% on average, from 22.9 mg/larva to 29.3 mg/larva, when Actisaf® Sc 47 is added to wheat bran substrate. In the same way, BSF bodyweight was improved by 10%, from 92.8 mg/larva to 102.4 mg/larva on average, when the substrate was supplemented with Actisaf® Sc 47 at 0.2%.
Survival rate through lifecycle
It is well known that biotic and abiotic factors influence the survival of insects reared under large-scale conditions. For insect farmers, mortality rate is an important factor in their bid to optimise business competitiveness. It’s therefore essential to identify and deliver solutions to counteract the detrimental effects of oxidative stress, caused by rearing conditions and the micro-organisms that affect insect health.
Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of probiotics in boosting the survival rate of sterile male Mediterranean flies. Other studies have demonstrated that Actisaf® Sc 47 maintains survival in BSF and YMW, while improving growth rates, and resulting in better zootechnical performance.
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