Spirulina-enriched Substrate to Rear Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Prepupae as Alternative Aquafeed Ingredient for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Diets: Possible Effects on Zootechnical Performances, Gut and Liver Health Status, and Fillet Quality

Simple Summary To promote sustainability in aquaculture, the black soldier fly deserves special attention as an alternative ingredient for aquafeed formulation. The present study proposed the inclusion of spirulina in the growth substrate of black soldier fly prepupae to enrich their final biomass in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant molecules. The obtained prepupae meal was used as a replacer of unsustainable marine-derived ingredients in diets intended for rainbow trout during a 6-week feeding trial. The results showed that fish zootechnical performances, gut and liver health status, and marketable characteristics were not negatively affected by the experimental diets. In the present study, an organic substrate (coffee silverskin) enriched with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; 15% w/w), as a source of lipids and bioactive molecules, was used to rear the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae. Three grossly isonitrogenous, isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic experimental diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles were then produced: a control diet (HM0) mostly including fish meal and fish oil, and two other test diets named HM3 and HM20, in which 3 or 20% of the marine ingredients were substituted with full fat black soldier fly prepupae meal (HM), respectively. Experimental diets were provided for 6 weeks, and at the end of the trial the physiological responses and marketable traits of the fish were investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. Generally, all test diets were well accepted, and fish growth, gut and liver health status, and marketable characteristics were not impaired by the experimental diets. However, an increased immuno-related gene expression along with a slight reduction of fillet redness and yellowness was evident in fish from the HM20 group.

Automated summary

To promote sustainability in aquaculture, the black soldier fly is being considered as an alternative ingredient for aquafeed formulation. This study proposes the use of spirulina to enrich the biomass of black soldier fly prepupae in terms of fatty acids and antioxidants. The obtained prepupae meal was used as a replacer of unsustainable marine-derived ingredients in rainbow trout diets, with no negative effects on fish health and marketable characteristics.