The effect of defatted black soldier fly (Hermentia illucens) meal inclusion in the formulated feed on the pellet stability at different salinity levels

¹ Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Curtin University, CDT 250, 98009 Miri Sarawak, Malaysia
² School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, 1 Turner Avenue, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia

^* Corresponding author: ishaaq.saputra@postgrad.curtin.edu.my

Abstract

Black soldier fly (Hermentia illucens) meal has become a promising alternative substitution of fishmeal as protein resources in aquafeeds. However, the effect of defatted BSF meal inclusion on the juvenile lobster feed stability have not been assessed. The present study is aimed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of defatted BSF meal (25, 35 and 50 % replacement), the salinity level of seawater (30 and 35 ppt) and the immersion time (15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes) on the pellet stability of formulated feed for juvenile lobster. The pellet stability was determined by calculate the dry matter loss of the feed (wet durability test). Results has shown that the dry matter loss of the feed ranged from 3.17 ± 0.03 % to 4.87 ± 0.26 % for the salinity of 30 ppt, and 3.27 ± 0.04 % to 4.46 ± 0.66 % for the salinity of 35 ppt. The dry matter loss was affected by the levels of defatted BSF inclusion level, the salinity, and the immersion time. The means of dry matter loss in formulated feeds were conversely affected by the salinity level and consistent in all formulated feeds. The means of dry matter loss in BSF25, BSF35 and BSF50 feed were significantly affected by the immersion time (P<0.05). At the salinity 30 ppt, significant differences of dry matter loss were observed after 120 minutes of immersion. Meanwhile, at 35 ppt the significant differences of dry matter loss were observed after 60 minutes after immersion. Significant differences (P<0.05) of dry matter loss were observed in the feed with the inclusion level of BSF of more than 25%. In conclusion the dry matter loss of formulated feeds for juvenile lobster is affected by the inclusion level of the defatted BSF, the salinity levels and the immersion times at acceptable level.