Grub to gains: A black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Pellet Supplemented with Turmeric Extract Proximate Analysis for Poultry Feed
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58511/jnpdd.v4i1.10494Keywords:
Black soldier fly larvae, protein, proximate analysis, turmeric, phytogenic feed additiveAbstract
Conventional poultry-feed proteins such as soybean meal and fish meal face rising costs and supply constraints, driving interest in insect-based alternatives. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal is a nutrient-dense, sustainable protein source increasingly explored for poultry diets. This study aimed to compare the proximate composition of a BSF larvae meal-based pellet, supplemented with 3% turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract, against two commercial feeds (Feed X and Feed Y), and to make a preliminary observation of final body weight in a small pilot feeding trial. Moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and ash were determined using standard procedures and compared statistically. In the 14-day pilot trial (n = 5 chickens per group, initial weight approximately 300 g, ad libitum feeding), only final body weight was recorded. The BSF pellet showed significantly higher crude protein (36.62%) and fat (10.98%) and significantly lower moisture (9.62%) than both comparison feeds, and lower fiber (5.56%) than Feed X. Its ash content (9.14%) was lower than that of Feed X and similar to that of Feed Y. Final body weight did not differ significantly among groups (BSF pellet 355.8 g; Feed X 340.2 g; Feed Y 347.8 g; p = 0.690). In conclusion, the BSF larvae meal-based pellet contained higher protein and fat than the commercial feeds without synthetic supplementation, whereas the pilot trial was too small and short to assess growth performance, which requires adequately powered, longer trials.
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