Could live or dehydrated insect larvae feeding affect poultry meat sensory traits?
A study within the POULTRYNSECT project, aims to address a knowledge gap between the use of whole black soldier fly larvae, live or dehydrated, in poultry diet, and the practical implications on chicken fillet meat sensory traits.
Nowadays, the interest of consumers for ethical and sustainable animal products is increasingly influenced by a combination of environmental, animal welfare, and health concerns. This indicates a belief that more sustainable products, particularly those with higher animal welfare standards, are worth a higher price. However, currently the key challenge in gaining consumer acceptance remains effective communication and education.
The research part of the POULTRYNSECT project aimed to provide reassurance to industries, policymakers, and consumers regarding the feasibility of incorporating whole insect larvae, live or dehydrated, on feeding programs of a slow growing indigenous poultry breed, called Bianca di Saluzzo.
Larvae as on top supplementation
A total of 144 male birds were allocated into three experimental groups of six pens (replicates) each. The control group was provided a basal diet characterized by the complete replacement of soybean meal with alternative feed ingredients. The two experimental treatments were fed the same basal diet as the control group with the on top supplementation of dehydrated or live whole black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) at a level equal to 5 percent of the expected daily feed intake of dry matter. Birds were slaughtered at either 147 or 174 days of age and at both ages, breast fillets were sampled, vacuum-packed, and used for sensory evaluation.
Sensory evaluation
Ten trained judges, experts in sensory descriptive evaluation, performed the sensory descriptive analysis. Attributes for this study were compiled from the existing literature on poultry meat and presented to judges for familiarization. Judges conducted the sensory analysis in individual booths equipped with notebooks and specific software for sensory data acquisition (Figure 1). The test was conducted in duplicate, and the samples were coded with three-digit numbers and presented randomly to the judges. For this test, judges were instructed to indicate the relative intensity of sensory attributes for each sample using a nine-point intensity scale (where 1 = hardly perceptible; 9 = very intense).
Positive results
No significant differences were found between the different dietary treatments and the control group fed the alternative, soybean meal-free, diet, indicating that dietary supplementation with BSFL, be it with dehydrated or live larvae, had no impact on the sensory properties of the chicken meat.
These results are a part of a recent paper titled: “Breaking down barriers: live or dehydrated dietary whole black soldier fly larvae supplementation in slow growing chickens preserve meat quality and sensory traits" that have been published in the Poultry Science journal.
Learn more here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579124006990?via%3Dihub