The role of insects in animal nutrition has been reconsidered during recent years, paving the way for an increasing market for edible insects. Their protein and amino acid balance make them a promising source of protein for replacing high value proteins. Yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (TM; Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae, have shown positive effects on broiler performance in several research studies and have a strong potential as a sustainable alternative protein source for monogastric animals. This study aimed to assess the effect of replacing various ratios of basal diets with T. molitor larvae on broiler performance as well as on several meat and welfare characteristics. For the study, 120 one-day-old male chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated in 3 treatments and 4 replications (10 birds per pen). Birds of the control group (basal diet) were fed with typical commercial maize and soymeal-based rations in mash form. The other 2 groups were treated with the same diet, after replacing 5% and 10% with dried TM larvae, respectively. On d 35 (end of trial), meat samples were collected and analysed. Body weight, feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the periods of 1 to 10 d (starter period), 11 to 24 d (grower period), 25 to 35 d (finisher period) and 1 to 35 d (total period) were assessed. Pododermatitis, diarrhoea, feather score and litter conditions were also assessed during the trial. The results indicated that TM larvae inclusion in the broilers' diet positively affected body weight gain values, as well as the carcass yield, the meat composition and various welfare traits. Additionally, the dietary treatments with TM larvae favourably affected meat composition and colour parameters, whereas there were also some positive effects on lipid and protein oxidation. Saturated fatty acids were decreased by the dietary supplementation whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acids to SFA ratio increased. In general, the study showed that whole TM larvae addition can provide a promising alternative to soybean meal in the diet of broilers, demonstrating a positive impact on growth, welfare and meat characteristics.

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the effects of Punica granatum L. and Allium cepa L. peels aqueous and cyclodextrin extracts on broiler chicks’ performance and welfare status, as well as on the meat chemical composition and oxidative stability. A total of 120 one-day-old male Ross-308 chicks were randomly allocated to three treatments with four replicate pens (10 chicks per pen). Broiler chicks in the control group were fed typical commercial rations in mash form, based on maize and soybean meal. The rations of the other two treatments were further supplemented with the mixture of Punica granatum and Allium cepa aqueous and cyclodextrin extracts at the level of 0.1% of the feed, respectively. At the end of the trial (day 35), tissue samples were collected for analysis. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), average daily gain (ADG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the period of 1–10 days, 11–24 days, 25–35 days and 1–35 days were evaluated. Litter score, dry matter in litter, pododermatitis and feather score were also assessed at the end of the trial. Data were analyzed with ANOVA using SPSS v25 software. The results showed that BW, FI and FCR values did not differ among the groups. Scoring of pododermatitis, diarrhea, feather, fecal moisture, wooden breast and white stripping did not differ (p ≥ 0.05) among the groups. Punica granatum and Allium cepa aqueous and cyclodextrin extracts favorably affected (p < 0.05) meat composition, color parameters, TBARS and protein carbonyls. Diet supplementation also increased (p < 0.05) ∑n-3 fatty acids as well as ∑n-6 fatty acids in the thigh meat. The cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-Docosahexaenoic acid fatty acids in the breast meat of broilers fed with diets supplemented with the aqueous pomegranate and onion peel extracts were found to be higher (p < 0.05), while these fatty acids in the thigh meat were found increased (p < 0.05) in the cyclodextrin group. Aqueous and cyclodextrin pomegranate and onion peel extracts may provide a promising additive to the broilers diet with functional properties, in the absence of stressful conditions.

Insect-based diets are gaining interest as potential ingredients in improving poultry gut health. This study assessed the dietary treatment with whole dried Tenebrio molitor larvae (TM) on broiler chickens’ gut microbiota and morphology. 120 Ross-308 broilers received treated diets with 5% (TM5) and 10% (TM10) replacement ratio in a 35-day trial. Intestinal histomorphometry was assessed, as well as claudin-3 expression pattern and ileal and caecal digesta for microbial community diversity. Null hypothesis was tested with two-way ANOVA considering the intestinal segment and diet as main factors. The TM5 group presented higher villi in the duodenum and ileum compared to the other two (P < 0.001), while treated groups showed shallower crypts in the duodenum (P < 0.001) and deeper in the jejunum and ileum than the control (P < 0.001). Treatments increased the caecal Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and led to significant changes at the genus level. While Lactobacilli survived in the caecum, a significant reduction was evident in the ileum of both groups, mainly owed to L. aviarius. Staphylococci and Methanobrevibacter significantly increased in the ileum of the TM5 group. Results suggest that dietary supplementation with whole dried TM larvae has no adverse effect on the intestinal epithelium formation and positively affects bacterial population richness and diversity.

This study investigated the potential of insect-based diets to mitigate heat stress impact on broiler chickens, focusing on growth performance and antioxidant stability. Four dietary groups were examined, including a control and three treated groups with Tenebrio molitor (TM), Hermetia illucens (HI), and Zophobas morio (ZM) larvae, respectively, at a 5% replacement ratio. Temperature and relative humidity of the poultry house were monitored. Under heat stress conditions, the HI-fed group consistently exhibited the highest body weight, demonstrating their remarkable growth-promoting potential. TM-fed broilers also displayed commendable growth compared to the control. Insect larvae inclusion in the diet improved feed intake during early growth stages, indicating their positive influence on nutrient utilization. Regarding antioxidant stability, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver, an oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation marker, were significantly lower in the TM-fed group, suggesting reduced oxidative stress. While the specific insect-based diet did not significantly affect MDA levels in thigh and breast tissues, variations in the total phenolic content (TPC) were observed across tissues, with HI larvae significantly increasing it in the breast. However, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) levels did not differ significantly among dietary groups in the examined tissues. Results suggest that insect-based diets enhance broiler growth and potentially reduce oxidative stress, particularly in the liver. Dietary presence of bioactive compounds may contribute to these benefits. Further research is required to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying these findings. Insect-based diets seem to offer promise as feed additives in addressing the multifaceted challenges of oxidative stress and enhancing broiler health and resilience under heat stress conditions.

Flaxseed and lupin seed were offered as an alternative dietary approach in dairy cows, through the partial substitution of soybean meal. Milk production and fertility traits were investigated. A total of 330 animals were allocated into two groups, treated (n = 176) and control (n = 154). From each group, 30 animals were selected for hematological and cytological studies. The experimental feeding period lasted for 81 days (25 days prepartum and 56 days postpartum). The control ration (group C) contained corn, barley, soybean meal, rapeseed cake, corn silage and lucerne hay; whereas, in the treatment group (group T), 50% of the soybean meal was replaced by an equal mixture of flaxseed and lupins. The two rations were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Milk samples were analyzed for chemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC) content and total colony forming units (CFU). Blood samples were collected, and serum was analyzed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), acute phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid) and lipid oxidation indices, namely thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and catalase activity. To assess polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) numbers, endometrial samples from each cow were collected on days 21 and 42. No difference was recorded between groups in milk yield (p > 0.05). In multiparous cows, NEFA (mMol/L) concentrations were significantly lower in group T than in group C on day 14 (p > 0.009) and on day 42 (p = 0.05), while no difference was detected in the group of primiparous cows. At all time points, serum TBARS and catalase values were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Multiparous cows in group T expressed the first postpartum estrus and conceived earlier than cows in group C (p ≤ 0.05). Between days 21 to 42 postpartum, the PMN reduction rate was higher in group T animals (p ≤ 0.05). Acute phase protein levels were in general lower in group T animals, and at specific time points differed significantly from group C (p ≤ 0.05). It was concluded that the partial replacement of soybean meal by flaxseed and lupins had no negative effect on milk yield or milk composition, and improved cow fertility; which, along with the lower cost of flaxseed and lupins mixture, may increase milk production profitability.