Insects as an Option to Conventional Protein Sources in Animal Feed: A Review Paper

Abstract

Intensification of Livestock production and the growing world population posed heavy pressure on limited resources which requires urgent attention to reduce its effect on climate change and feed scarcity. Protein-rich insects are one of the options to conventional protein sources. Africa is one of the most important hotspots of edible insects’ biodiversity comprising 524 species. The most widely used insects in animal feeds are the larvae of the black soldier fly, the maggot and pupae of common housefly, the yellow mealworm or larvae of the beetle as well as blue bottle, termites, blow flies and insect families belonging to the order Orthoptera including, grasshoppers, crickets and katydids. The chemical composition of insects varies between species, growth stage and management conditions. The Crude protein (CP %) ranges from 41.1-76.1, crude fiber (CF %) from 3.8- 15.7, the extract (EE %) from 5.4- 37.2, ash% from 2.2-26.6 and gross energy (GE) from 19.8- 27.2. Based on the nutritive values, Insect meal is an excellent and important substitute of poultry diet replacing wide range of feed stuffs. Insect protein as supplement or substitute on aquaculture production improves fish productivity which could replace 50 % fish meal without adverse effect on weight gain, Specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Utilization of insect as a substitute or supplement in Pig has no adverse effect on growth performance and carcass quality. Despite the above benefits, all insects are not safe to use in animal feed. Just as it applies for plant and animal food Products some insects cause allergic reactions, botulism, parasitizes and food poisoning. All these health risks can be prevented by the utilization of scientifically recommended insect species reared on pollutant-free feed either harvested in the wild or on farms with proper processing, handling, and storage. Although utilization of insects as animal feed have been given due attention, insects are being reared at a sma