Silkworm pupae meal as alternative source of protein in fish feed

Abstract

The ever-increasing cost of fish meal and other ingredients for fish feed has led to the search for other alternatives for protein source by the industry. Insects, form part of the natural fish diet and they represent a good source of protein. Over the last decade, studies on the replacement of fishmeal with insect meal have emerged with promising results. Silkworm pupae, a waste of the silk reeling industry, is a suitable candidate as a Fish Meal replacement because of its high nutritional value. Dry pupae contain 50–70% crude protein and 24–33% crude lipid, and is a high-quality insect protein source with a rich, balanced content of essential amino acids. The works of various researchers, on various fish species have led to the development of recommended inclusion levels of silkworm pupae meal in the diet of the following aquaculture species, 30-50% for major and minor carps, 5-15% for trout, 50-60% for masher, 75-100% for catfish, 30-40% for ornamental fishes and 5-20% for shellfishes that is assured to give better growth performance compared to fish meal.