Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and mealworm could replace fishmeal in the diets of weaned pigs “without adverse effects”, according to a review of research to date in this area.
The mass-produced insects, which are known for their high protein content and nutritional balance, would not affect growth or nutrient digestibility, said the researchers from South Dakota State University and Seoul National University.
They also noted that BSF could be included in the diet of finishing pigs without hitting growth or pork quality.
However, further work is required to establish the optimum quantities of insects to include in diets in all phases from weaned pigs to sows, they said.
“Insects have great potential as a feed ingredient for swine diets in nutrient composition, utilisation, and functional property. However, some challenges need to be resolved to use the insects in swine feed,” explained the scientists.
A question of scale and cost
One such challenge is the need for standardisation of production processes in readiness for scale-up to widespread use in pig diets. However, increased demand for insects and well-developed technology means that prospects are good for stable mass production to be ready in the near future, they suggested.
Linked to the lack of mass production facilities for feed insects, the authors also noted a current lack of price competitiveness with soybean meal and fishmeal, attributed to the relatively small size of insect farms compared to the swine producers they would be supplying.
“To use the insect as a feed ingredient for swine feed, the price must go down to at least $1.5/kg. The target price of $1.5 is still higher than that of soybean meal, but the advantages of using the insects as a high-quality protein source will compensate for this gap,” they said.
More knowledge on risks needed
There also remain some food safety concerns around insect feeds which require further attention. Previous papers highlighting feed insects’ potential to harbour toxic substances, antibiotic resistance genes, pathogens and heavy metals were noted.
“Further research on functional properties of insect products or various processing methods for insect products should precede the use of insect products in swine diets to ensure their efficiency and safety,” they added.
You can read the full review in Animal Bioscience.
