Effects of dietary Zophobas morio larvae meal on the growth performance and innate immune response of Nile tilapia juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Among plant origin feed, soybean meal is the most used protein source in aquaculture due to its high protein level and essential amino acid profile. However, sustainability in the use of soybean meal has been criticized due to uncontrolled deforestation and the excessive use of pesticides. In this way, alternative protein sources have been studied in order to replace, totally or partially, the use of this ingredient in aquaculture. Super worm larvaemeal (Zophobas morio) therefore, appears as a promising protein source, due to the high content of proteins, essential amino acids, lipids, and because they need small areas for their production, especially when compared to other crops such as soybean. In addition, it is a chitin source, a polysaccharide present in the exoskeleton of insects, linked to modulation of the immune system. From this, the influence of diets containing super worm larvae meal in total or partial replacement of soybean meal was evaluated on the growth performance and innate-immune response of juveniles of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the present study. Three diets containing 0 (control diet), 15 and 30% super worm larvae meal (SWM) were formulated. Nile tilapia were randomly divided into 3 groups with 4 replicates in each group. Fish from each group were fed one of three experimental diets for 12 weeks. The growth performance, hematological parameters and immune response of juveniles were determined at the end of the feeding period, as well as 0, 3, 6 and 9 h after the challenge of E. coli LPS. This dissertation is divided into two parts; the first part is presented in the theoretical reference form that was formulated in order to provide basic information to support the understanding of this research. The second part relies on the manuscript, where we detail the research, the material and methods used as well as its results and the discussion of the data obtained.