FUNAAB Develops Probiotic Insect Feed to Cut Aquaculture Costs

News in brief:

-FUNAAB researchers found that probiotic-fortified Black Soldier Fly larvae meal can replace up to 50 per cent of fishmeal in Nile tilapia diets without harming growth or health.

-The innovation offers a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution to rising aquaculture feed costs.

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has recorded a significant research breakthrough with the development of a cost-effective and sustainable fish feed alternative aimed at transforming aquaculture production in Nigeria and beyond.

The study, presented at the February Monthly Seminar of the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, demonstrated that partially replacing conventional fishmeal with probiotic-fortified insect larvae meal can significantly improve fish health while lowering feed costs.

Tackling High Feed Costs in Aquaculture

Delivering the presentation, Dr Nathaniel Bamidele, Programme Coordinator of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Programme at IFSERAR, said the research was designed to address one of the most pressing constraints in global aquaculture: the high cost of feed.

According to him, feed accounts for between 60 and 70 per cent of total fish production expenses, with fishmeal representing a substantial share of ingredient costs. Declining wild fish stocks, driven by pollution, climate change and overfishing, have further intensified pressure on aquaculture systems to meet the protein demands of a global population projected to reach nine billion by 2050.

He noted that rising feed prices continue to limit the profitability and expansion of fish farming enterprises.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Substitute

The research evaluated the use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal derived from Hermetia illucens as a sustainable replacement for fishmeal in the diet of Oreochromis niloticus, commonly known as Nile tilapia and one of the world’s most widely cultivated freshwater fish species.

The insect larvae were reared at FUNAAB, while feeding trials were conducted at the University’s Hatchery Unit in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Five experimental diets containing approximately 35 per cent crude protein were formulated, with fishmeal replaced by insect larvae meal at graded inclusion levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent. The feeds were pelleted, air-dried and stored appropriately.

To address potential digestive challenges associated with high insect meal inclusion, particularly due to chitin content, probiotics were incorporated into the diets to enhance nutrient digestion, improve gut morphology and promote balanced intestinal microbiota.

Key Findings and Performance Outcomes

The findings revealed that probiotic-fortified insect larvae meal improved fish carcass quality without negatively affecting blood parameters. Optimal growth performance and feed utilisation were recorded when 50 per cent of fishmeal was replaced with the fortified insect meal.

Importantly, probiotic supplementation mitigated intestinal stress associated with moderate insect meal inclusion, supporting overall fish health and productivity.

Dr Bamidele described the innovation as both economically viable and environmentally sustainable, noting that probiotic-fortified insect protein could sustainably replace up to 50 per cent of fishmeal in Nile tilapia diets without compromising performance.

He added that the development holds strong potential to reduce production costs and improve profitability for fish farmers, while contributing to sustainable aquaculture systems.

Call for Commercial Scale Studies

The researcher recommended further long-term studies to validate the results under large-scale commercial conditions and accelerate industry adoption of probiotic insect-based aquafeeds.

The seminar was attended by the Director of IFSERAR, Prof Kazeem Bello; the Chairman of the occasion, Prof Wilfred Alegbeleye; and other academic staff, including Prof Victor Olowe and Prof John Oyedepo.