Farinha de mosca soldado negro (Hermetia illucens), na nutrição do lambari (Astyanax bimaculatus)

Abstract

The growing global aquaculture production is increasing the demand for feed, with fishmeal being a notable but expensive component. Sustainable alternatives, such as black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) meal, are being explored due to their efficiency and nutritional profile. This study nutritionally characterized black soldier fly meal in its various life stages and evaluated its effectiveness as an ingredient in diets for juvenile yellow tail-lambari (Astyanax bimaculatus). The nutritional characterization of the samples determined moisture, lipids, ash, crude protein, and gross energy content of the black soldier fly meals. The analyses were conducted in laboratories at IFES and UFES. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test to check for significant differences. In performance experiments, the experimental feeds were formulated with levels of (T1 = control, T2 = 12.5%, T3 = 25%, T4 = 37.5%, and T5 = 50%) of black soldier fly meal from the pupal and adult stages. The fish were distributed through a completely randomized design, with 5 treatments and 4 replications, containing 10 fish per experimental unit, and the trial lasted 45 days. Statistical data were analyzed using ANOVA and polynomial regression. According to the nutritional characterization data, it can be deduced that the larval and pupal stages are the most suitable for use. The adult stage is less ideal due to the high chitin content. Performance data showed that diets replacing fishmeal with pupal black soldier fly meal yielded good results, indicating that this stage is usable. Conversely, diets containing adult black soldier fly meal did not perform well, likely due to excessive quitin.