Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems
Aquaculture plays a critical role in global food security, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) recognized for its adaptability and robust growth. However, traditional feeds, heavily reliant on fishmeal (FM) and soybean meal, face economic and environmental challenges. In response, black soldie...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Aquaculture Nutrition |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/anu/3598843 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832586773637627904 |
|---|---|
| author | Jonathan Munguti Mavindu Muthoka Jimmy B. Mboya Domitila Kyule Menaga Meenakshisundaram Chrysantus M. Tanga |
| author_facet | Jonathan Munguti Mavindu Muthoka Jimmy B. Mboya Domitila Kyule Menaga Meenakshisundaram Chrysantus M. Tanga |
| author_sort | Jonathan Munguti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aquaculture plays a critical role in global food security, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) recognized for its adaptability and robust growth. However, traditional feeds, heavily reliant on fishmeal (FM) and soybean meal, face economic and environmental challenges. In response, black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) has emerged as a promising, nutrient-dense alternative. This review synthesizes existing literature on BSFLM’s nutritional profile and its suitability for Nile tilapia diets, while acknowledging that the data come from diverse independent studies conducted under varying environmental conditions and husbandry practices. BSFLM consistently provides high-quality protein (29.9%–48.2%), aligning with tilapia’s requirements, and is rich in essential minerals and fatty acids. While its lipid content (25.69%–28.43%) may require processing adjustments, the overall profile supports tilapia health and growth. Trends from case studies suggest that certain systems, such as hapas placed in ponds, have reported favorable growth and feed conversion efficiencies at 50% FM replacement levels. However, these findings cannot be directly compared across all studies due to differences in methodologies, culture conditions, and inclusion rates. Instead, they collectively indicate that BSFLM can effectively replace traditional protein sources and enhance sustainability. As research and production scale up, careful consideration of context, system design, and feed formulations will be essential. Collaborative efforts among researchers, industry, and policymakers will further refine the use of BSFLM, ultimately advancing the environmental and economic sustainability of Nile tilapia aquaculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-271a661d9bd74b8fa22c4daeeb6da293 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1365-2095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aquaculture Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-271a661d9bd74b8fa22c4daeeb6da2932025-01-25T05:00:01ZengWileyAquaculture Nutrition1365-20952025-01-01202510.1155/anu/3598843Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture SystemsJonathan Munguti0Mavindu Muthoka1Jimmy B. Mboya2Domitila Kyule3Menaga Meenakshisundaram4Chrysantus M. Tanga5Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)Department of Animal and Fisheries SciencesInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyKenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)International Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyAquaculture plays a critical role in global food security, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) recognized for its adaptability and robust growth. However, traditional feeds, heavily reliant on fishmeal (FM) and soybean meal, face economic and environmental challenges. In response, black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) has emerged as a promising, nutrient-dense alternative. This review synthesizes existing literature on BSFLM’s nutritional profile and its suitability for Nile tilapia diets, while acknowledging that the data come from diverse independent studies conducted under varying environmental conditions and husbandry practices. BSFLM consistently provides high-quality protein (29.9%–48.2%), aligning with tilapia’s requirements, and is rich in essential minerals and fatty acids. While its lipid content (25.69%–28.43%) may require processing adjustments, the overall profile supports tilapia health and growth. Trends from case studies suggest that certain systems, such as hapas placed in ponds, have reported favorable growth and feed conversion efficiencies at 50% FM replacement levels. However, these findings cannot be directly compared across all studies due to differences in methodologies, culture conditions, and inclusion rates. Instead, they collectively indicate that BSFLM can effectively replace traditional protein sources and enhance sustainability. As research and production scale up, careful consideration of context, system design, and feed formulations will be essential. Collaborative efforts among researchers, industry, and policymakers will further refine the use of BSFLM, ultimately advancing the environmental and economic sustainability of Nile tilapia aquaculture.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/anu/3598843 |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan Munguti Mavindu Muthoka Jimmy B. Mboya Domitila Kyule Menaga Meenakshisundaram Chrysantus M. Tanga Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems Aquaculture Nutrition |
| title | Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems |
| title_full | Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems |
| title_fullStr | Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems |
| title_short | Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems |
| title_sort | unraveling the potential of black soldier fly larvae as a sustainable protein source for nile tilapia production in diverse aquaculture systems |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/anu/3598843 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jonathanmunguti unravelingthepotentialofblacksoldierflylarvaeasasustainableproteinsourceforniletilapiaproductionindiverseaquaculturesystems AT mavindumuthoka unravelingthepotentialofblacksoldierflylarvaeasasustainableproteinsourceforniletilapiaproductionindiverseaquaculturesystems AT jimmybmboya unravelingthepotentialofblacksoldierflylarvaeasasustainableproteinsourceforniletilapiaproductionindiverseaquaculturesystems AT domitilakyule unravelingthepotentialofblacksoldierflylarvaeasasustainableproteinsourceforniletilapiaproductionindiverseaquaculturesystems AT menagameenakshisundaram unravelingthepotentialofblacksoldierflylarvaeasasustainableproteinsourceforniletilapiaproductionindiverseaquaculturesystems AT chrysantusmtanga unravelingthepotentialofblacksoldierflylarvaeasasustainableproteinsourceforniletilapiaproductionindiverseaquaculturesystems |