Effects of black soldier fly larvae oil on growth performance, immunity and antioxidant capacity, and intestinal function and microbiota of broilers

Abstract

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are developing into a possible source of food since they can generate energy and have a good amino acid profile. This study looked at whether broiler diets may be supplemented with black soldier fly larvae oil (BSO). These groups of broilers were fed diets that replaced the soybean oil (SO) with varying amounts of BSO: 0%, 25% (BSO25), 50% (BSO50), 75% (BSO75), and 100% (BSO100). Levels of aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase, and blood urea nitrogen were all shown to have altered considerably. In addition, the ileal villus height, doudenal crypt depth, and the proportion of doudenal villus height to crypt depth were altered. Finally, compared to the SO group, there was a substantial increase in the mRNA levels of IL-2, tumor necrosis factor α, mucin 2, junctional adhesion molecule 2, and zonula occludens-2. It is interesting to note that the community richness of the gut microbiota and the abundance of Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria were significantly altered in comparison with the SO group. Our findings suggest that BSO can replace SO in the formulation of broiler diets, with 50% BSO being the best option out of the BSO concentrations examined.