A recent study conducted by scientists at the Kazan Academy of Veterinary Medicine in Russia advocates for the feed industry to reconsider its reliance on meat-and-bone meal and imported feed additives, proposing the black soldier fly larvae as a viable alternative.
The research involved an experiment with three groups of laying quails, each comprising 21 birds. The control group was fed a standard diet, while the other two groups received supplements of black soldier fly larvae—3% for the second group and 7% for the third.
Tangible Results
Upon concluding the two-month trial, researchers utilized gas chromatography to analyze the egg composition. The results were promising: eggs produced by quails fed with added larvae showed a significant increase in essential amino acids. Lysine content rose by 17%, methionine by 16%, and tryptophan by 21%. Additionally, levels of certain fatty acids were notably higher, with linoleic acid increasing by 25% and linolenic acid by a staggering 250% compared to the control group.
An Aid to the Import-Replacement Campaign
The researchers highlighted that cultivating black soldier flies can significantly reduce the poultry industry’s dependency on imports. Currently, Russia imports around 95% of its feed additives, predominantly from China. “This eco-friendly alternative addresses the challenge of import substitution while enhancing the nutritional profile of quail eggs,” stated the scientists.
A Closed Production Cycle
The growth of larvae is resource-efficient compared to the traditional production of meat-and-bone meal. Scientists reported that insects grow rapidly and can effectively convert organic waste into valuable agricultural nutrients, thereby facilitating a self-sustaining production cycle.
Kazan State Agrarian University experts expressed confidence that this innovative technology could also be adapted for use with chickens, ducks, and turkeys.
Industry in Limbo
Despite the promising study, progress in Russia’s insect industry has been modest. Plans for the commercial production of insects aimed at feed applications have yet to materialize. In a 2024 conference, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko indicated that insect meal utilization should be restricted to fish feed.
Pyotr Kutsenogiy, Deputy Director for Innovation at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics under the Russian Academy of Sciences, previously noted that establishing insect meal production was essential for maintaining good trade relations with Europe.
Despite these challenges, the study’s backing by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture suggests that the government remains committed to developing insect feed technology.
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