Innovafeed and Onda Collaborate to Enhance Salmon Nutrition with Insect-Based Ingredients

Onda and Innovafeed announce promising results from trials using insect-based ingredients in salmon nutrition.

• Preliminary research demonstrates antibacterial potential and strong growth performance in Atlantic salmon.

Innovafeed, a global leader in insect-based nutritional ingredients derived from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens), has partnered with Onda, the world’s leading independent aquatic contract research organization. Together, they have announced encouraging findings from two collaborative trials focused on evaluating the performance and benefits of insect-based ingredients in aquaculture nutrition.

Trials Overview

Conducted at Onda’s premier aquaculture research facilities in Prince Edward Island, the trials aimed to assess the effectiveness of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal in promoting fish health and performance in Atlantic salmon diets.

In-Vitro Antibacterial Activity Demonstrated

Initial in-vitro analyses by Onda showcased the antibacterial properties of Innovafeed’s Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal, branded as Hilucia™ for Aqua. The study investigated its hydrosoluble fraction’s ability to inhibit several aquatic pathogens that are frequently responsible for disease outbreaks in aquaculture.

Results indicated a significant growth inhibition against four critical gram-negative bacteria relevant to aquaculture health management:

• Aeromonas salmonicida
• Flavobacterium psychrophilum
• Vibrio anguillarum
• Photobacterium damselae

To explore additional details about the methodology and results, please refer to our Hilucia™ Aquaculture page.

These findings build on earlier studies that have recognized the antimicrobial capabilities of Black Soldier Fly Larvae against a diverse array of aquatic pathogens. The antibacterial potential of Hilucia™ for Aqua is attributed to antimicrobial peptides naturally produced by the larvae, which are part of the insect’s innate immune response, interacting with microbial cell membranes to inhibit growth or induce pathogen death.

Significant Growth Performance in Salmon Trials

In a second trial, Onda assessed Innovafeed’s Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal as a performance enhancer in juvenile Atlantic salmon. Over a span of 84 days, the Hilucia™ for Aqua-fed group demonstrated impressive growth from approximately 300g to 800g, achieving a perfect survival rate of 100%.

The results reflected increased feed intake, correlated with a dose-response pattern of Hilucia™ inclusion rate, showcasing substantial growth performance and enhanced feed efficiency. This suggests the BSFL meal’s potential to effectively enhance the diets of grower salmon, thus improving fish farming productivity.

A seawater stress test was also included in the trial to evaluate fish resilience during a crucial stage of the salmon growth cycle. While these results are undergoing further analysis, they underscore Onda and Innovafeed’s ongoing commitment to demonstrating the functional advantages of insect-derived ingredients in aquaculture.

Innovation in Aquaculture Nutrition

“Collaborating with partners like Innovafeed allows us to enhance our testing platforms and discover transformative solutions for aquaculture,” stated Dr. Fabio Zanuzzo, Director of Aquatic Research at Onda. “Our integrated and tailored research approach maximizes the value of our clients’ products, providing precise and actionable insights for the aquaculture sector.”

Marine Bezagu, PhD, Head of Product Development on Aquaculture at Innovafeed, reiterated, “This collaboration has been both effective and promising. The scientific expertise from Onda significantly enriches our work, with results further substantiating the functional potential of insect-based ingredients for aquaculture nutrition.”

Additional trials, including in-vivo studies, are on the horizon to further explore the capabilities of insect-derived functional components in supporting fish health and disease resistance in commercial aquaculture production.

About Onda

Onda is a contract research organization that specializes in aquaculture research and trials. Offering bespoke bench top and in-tank trials for diverse species, Onda provides tailored solutions to various industry challenges, bolstered by top-notch expertise and experience.

Onda holds numerous certifications, including GLP, GMP, ACQ3, and ACQ2, ensuring the highest quality of work integrated into its customized services. The organization prides itself on quality, consistency, and reliability in its interactions with clients, guiding them from the conceptual phase to actionable solutions.

About Innovafeed

Innovafeed is a leading AgTech pioneer (B Corp™, Next 40, Impact 40, World’s GreenTech Company 2025), focused on producing insects (Black Soldier Fly – Hermetia illucens) for both animal and plant nutrition. Recognized as one of the foremost insect producers globally, Innovafeed develops innovative technologies that replicate nature’s resource conversion processes on an industrial scale.

Through the establishment of a circular, zero-waste food chain where insects reclaim their ecological role, Innovafeed contributes to creating a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient agri-food system.

Image: Innovafeed