The Effects of Feeding Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens ) Maggot Meal as a Substitute for Fish Meal on Broiler Meat Quality

摘要

Background and Objective: There has been a search for non-conventional feedstuffs such as maggot meal as a result of scarcity and high cost of fishmeal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the black soldier fly maggot meal as a protein source on meat quality of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 22sub5/sub broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to five treatment groups of varying dietary inclusion levels of fish and maggot meal; 100% fishmeal and 0% maggot meal (control group) (Asub0/sub), 75% fishmeal: 25% maggot meal (Asub25/sub), 50% fishmeal: 50% maggot meal (Asub50/sub), 25% fishmeal: 75% maggot meal A(sub75/sub) and 100% maggot meal and 0% fishmeal (Asub100/sub). At the 57th day, 6 chickens per replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered to evaluate the carcass yield and meat quality. Results: Results showed that there was a reduction of breast water loss in group Asub100/sub compared to the other batches (p0.05). The maggot meal increased the yield and ultimate pH (pHu) of the breast of Asub100/sub group (p0.05). In addition, meat protein levels were also higher in the treated groups than that of the control group (p0.001). In contrast, thigh yield, abdominal fat and mineral contents were not affected by the dietary inclusion of maggot meal. Conclusion: Broilers fed 100% maggot meal obtained the best meat characteristics. This could be attributed to the high-quality protein contained in the Black Soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) maggot meal. It can be concluded that maggot meal is a non-conventional protein source which can be used as fish meal replacer in broiler diet.