Full-fatted <i>Hermetia illucens</i> larva as a protein alternative: effects on weaning pig growth performance, gut health, and antioxidant status under poor sanitary conditions
Waewaree Boontiam, Pheeraphong Phaengphairee, Jinsu Hong, Yoo Yong Kim
Abstract
ABSTRACTWe investigated the effectiveness of full-fatted black soldier fly larvae (BSF) supplementation on growth performance, gut health, and antioxidant capacity of weaned pigs under poor sanitation. Eighty 28-d-old piglets were divided into four groups (five replicates of four pigs each): control group comprising pigs under hygienic conditions without BSF addition (PC); control group comprising pigs under poor sanitary conditions without BSF addition (NC); and BSF6 and BSF12 groups comprising pigs supplemented 6% and 12% BSF, respectively. Pigs were fed the diets in two feeding programs: Phase I (1–14 d) and II (15–28 d) containing 3,300 and 3,265 kcal/kg of metabolisable energy and 22.5% and 21.5% of crude protein, respectively. Compared to the NC, the BSF6 and BSF12 increased body weight and average daily feed intake in Phase II (P < 0.05). The BSF exhibited greater nutrient digestibility, immunoglobulin A and glutathione peroxidase levels, cecum weights, duodenal villus height, duodenal villus-to-crypt depth ratio, and caecal Lactobacillus spp. (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the BSF6 and BSF12 showed significantly decreased diarrheal rate, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, small intestine weight, caecal pH, and duodenal crypt depth unlike the NC (P < 0.05). The BSF12 had lower malondialdehyde concentration and Escherichia coli than the NC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 12% BSF improved growth performance and nutrient utilisation, thereby reducing gut inflammation and modulating antioxidant capacity in post-weaning piglets.