Complete replacement of fish meal by black soldier fly meal in Nile tilapia juvenile’s diet: effect on growth performances and feed efficiency

Complete replacement of fish meal by black soldier fly meal in Nile tilapia juvenile’s diet: effect on growth performances and feed efficiency | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Complete replacement of fish meal by black soldier fly meal in Nile tilapia juvenile’s diet: effect on growth performances and feed efficiency Neila HAMZA, Ines Ben Khemis, Mohamed Gastli, Wael Fraihi, Mohamed Salah Azaza This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7673247/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Four experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (46.4 to 52.7% crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.2 to 16.5 kJ g − 1 ) to test three experimental diets in which 33.3, 66.6 and 100% of fish meal was replaced with black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens, L.) larvae meal (BSF1, BSF2, BSF3) versus a control diet (FM) containing 180 g FM/kg for feeding Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) juveniles (11.8 ± 0.2g). The fish fed with the BSF diets had significantly (P > 0.05) higher final growth performances than the fish fed the FM diet. The Apparent Digestibility Coefficient (ADC) of crude protein, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Hepatosomatic Index (HSI) as well as muscle protein and lipid composition of fish muscles were not significantly different whatever the diet. BSF meal is a good source of protein and lipids for Nile tilapia juveniles and could successfully replace FM up to 100% in their diets with improved growth performances. Alternative protein Black soldier fly feed formulation insect meal Oreochromis niloticus Introduction Aquaculture is a growing sector and currently produces more than half of the aquatic products intended for human consumption (FAO, 2024 ). It is therefore a key sector for maintaining and improving food security in the world. However, its rapid growth is already having a significant impact on the environment, particularly on the wild fish stocks on which it depends for the manufacture of aquafeed. In fact, Fish Meal ( FM), obtained from wild fish catches, is still one of the major ingredients, used mainly as protein as well as lipid sources. Due to the stagnation and even the decline of world fish catches in conjunction with the increased demand for FM, increased costs are observed and are expected to pursue. The FM industry also uprises major concerns of sustainability. Furthermore, to reduce poverty and provide affordable food products for vulnerable human communities, Shannon and Waller ( 2021 ) advocate for direction of a greater proportion of forage fish catches to direct human consumption while ensuring marine ecosystem functioning and sustainability and encourage bio-recycling as a sustainable alternative for feed-based aquaculture. For the above-mentioned economic and ecological reasons, several research studies tried to find alternative meal sources to FM in aquaculture aiming to preserve the fish performances and physiological status or to improve them. During the last decades, the use of FM in aquafeed had particularly decreased in favor of vegetable sources (Borgeson et al. 2006 ; Messina et al. 2019 ; Montoya-Camacho et al. 2019 ). Plant proteins like soybean meal or wheat gluten were considered as the most efficient alternatives for FM due to their high protein content, high digestibility, relatively well-balanced amino acid profiles and reasonable price (Storebakken et al. 2000 ). However, this approach seems less suitable for ensuring the nutritional requirements of the fish because of the presence of antinutritional factors (Bureau et al. 1998 ). It may not only decrease the growth performances and the feed conversion efficiency (Wang et al. 2020 ) but may also induce intestinal disturbances (Willora et al. 2022 ). In this context, several studies aiming for the replacement of FM with insect meal (IM) in the diet of fish have emerged in the last decade with promising results (Agbohessou et al. 2021 ; Barroso et al. 2014 ; Basto et al. 2020 ; Henry et al. 2015 ; Mastoraki et al. 2020 ). Indeed, considering the high costs and limited availability of conventional feed resources such as soybean meal and FM, Makkar et al. ( 2014 ) suggested that non-conventional resources like IM may represent a viable alternative. Rearing insects presents a valuable method to recycle and valorize agricultural bio-waste (Makkar et al. 2014 ), addressing the significant issue of food waste, as approximately one-third of global food production is lost or wasted (FAO 2011 ). The primary advantages of rearing insects include their efficient waste conversion into valuable food biomass and reduced environmental impacts (Henry et al. 2015 ; Wang and Shelomi, 2017 ). IM contains high content of crude protein varying from 42 to 63% (Tran et al. 2015 ), with an essential amino acids (EAA) profile similar to that of FM (Barroso et al. 2014 ; Henry et al. 2015 ). It also supplies lipids (31 to 43%), vitamins, and minerals. Consequently, it has been used to feed both marine and freshwater fish species such as European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax) (Basto et al. 2020 ; Mastoraki et al. 2020 ), Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) (Belghit et al. 2018 ), Rainbow trout ( Onchorhyncus mykiss) (Caimi et al. 2021 ), Gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata ) (Anedda et al. 2023 ; Rimoldi et al. 2024 ), Turbot ( Psetta maxima ) (Kroeckel et al. 2012 ), and Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) (Borgeson et al. 2006 ; Muin et al. 2017 ). Recent studies on Nile tilapia, one of the most important freshwater fish species farmed in the world, dealt with IM substitution in diets and its effect on growth performances and feed efficiency (Agbohessou et al. 2021 ; Amer et al. 2021 ; Fontes et al. 2019 ; Muin and Taufek 2022 ; Ogunji et al. 2008 ; Tippayadara et al. 2021 ; Tubin et al. 2020 ; Wachira et al. 2021 ). These studies demonstrated the high potential of IM to satisfy the nutritional requirements of this omnivorous species. Nile tilapia requirements for optimum growth at juvenile stage (Mjoun et al. 2010 ) are about 30 to 35% protein and 10–15% lipids (Ng and Chong 2004 ). However, higher dietary protein level (40–45%) was suggested to obtain better growth and feed conversion ratio at the same stage (Al Hafedh 2001 ). This study aimed to investigate the impact of partial or total replacement of FM by IM from BSF ( Hermetia illucens) larvae meal in diets of Nile tilapia juveniles and particularly on growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition and crude protein digestibility. Materials and methods 1. Fish and experimental conditions The Nile tilapia juveniles ( Oreochromis niloticus ) were obtained from the hatchery of the research station of the INSTM at Bechima (Gabes, Tunisia). For the feeding trial, a group of juveniles was transferred to the experimental facility of aquaculture Laboratory of INSTM (National Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Kheireddine, Tunisia). The experimental rearing was conducted in a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) equipped with a 12 cylindroconical polyester-fiberglass tanks of 500 L, a 1000 L collector tank, a 0.75 kW pump (Porpoise 16, Speck Pumpen, Neunkirchen am Sand, Germany), a sand filter, a moving bed biofilter and a heating system (Zodiac Redline 13100) for maintaining rearing water temperature within the optimal range for Nile tilapia (Azaza et al. 2008 ). After a few days of acclimation within 1000 L cylindroconical polyester-fiberglass tanks the fish were sorted to select as much as possible an homogenous batch. A total of 480 sorted juveniles (mean weight 11.8 ± 0,2g) were randomly dispatched to obtain 12 batches of 40 fish each and equally distributed into 12 cylindrical fiberglass tanks (500 L). Each three tanks were then randomly assigned to one of the four experimental diets (n = 3 per treatment). Prior to the start of the feeding trial, fish were acclimated to the facility for one week. During this week, dead fish (if any) and apparently stressed fish were replaced by fish of similar weight. Throughout the experimental period, tanks received recycled freshwater at a renewal flow rate of 3 L min − 1 tank − 1 . Temperature was maintained at 26 ± 1°C and dissolved oxygen was maintained consistently over 7 mg L − 1 using bluwed air through stone diffusers. A natural photoperiod, corresponding to10h L/14h D was applied. Total nitrite, nitrate and ammonia were weekly controlled, using spectrophotometer (Jenway 6405 UV/vis) and Sigma-Spectroquant kits NO3-, NO2-, NH4+), to ensure that water quality remained within limits recommended for Nile tilapia culture (Ross 2000 ). Fish were hand fed to apparent satiation, three times a day (09:00; 13:00; 17:00), six days a week for 60 days. Apparent satiation was set at observation of first feed refusal. Daily feed intake for each tank was obtained by weighing the feed at the start and end of each day. Dead fish (if any) were collected daily and weighed to estimate survival rates and Feed conversion efficiency. To maintain good health conditions, the tanks bottom was siphoned twice a day to eliminate feces and maintain a good water quality. 2. Feed ingredients and Diets Four isonitrogenous (crude protein between 46.4 to 52.7 g kg − 1 ) and isoenergetic (16.2 to 16.5 kJ g − 1 ) experimental diets were formulated as previously described by Azaza et al. ( 2015 ). They consisted in one control diet, in which fish meal was the main protein source (FM), and three diets in which 33.3, 66.6 and 100% of the fish meal was substituted with Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae meal (BSF1, BSF2, BSF3, respectively). The BSF larvae meal used in this study was provided by the company nextProtein, Tunisia ( www.nextprotein.com ) The experimental diets were prepared at the Centre Technique d’Aquaculture (CTA). All the ingredients and oils were individually weighed and mixed in a large food mixer using 10g kg − 1 of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a binder. Each of the diets was supplemented with a dose of 10 g kg − 1 vitamins and minerals premix as well as 1 g Kg − 1 chromic oxide (Cr 2 O 3 ) as a non-absorbable-indicator for the evaluation of apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC). After a few minutes of dry mixing, water was added gradually to obtain a past-like consistency and then the mixture was noodled with a large stainless steel meat grinder of 3 mm die sizes. The noodles were then dried in a ventilated space during 24h (ambient temperature of 26°C). The dry noodles of feed were crushed and graded to obtain suitable pellet sizes (3 mm) according to fish sizes (Azaza et al. 2010 ) and then stored in a freezer at -20°C until use. Formulation and proximate compositions of experimental diets are presented in Table 1 . 3. Sampling - (Growth performances, somatic indexes and biochemical composition of fish) At the end of the trial (day 60) all fish were starved for 24h, anesthetized (0.05 L − 1 eugenol Carlo Erba RPE) and individually weighed to determine growth and weight gain. In addition, six fish per tank were randomly euthanized in ice cold water and liver as well as muscle (4-5g) samples were collected to measure hepatosomatic index (HSI) and analyze filet proximate and fatty acid composition. The samples for biochemical analysis were immediately frozen at -20°C and then stored at -80°C until processing. The growth performance and somatic indexes were calculated as follow: Survival (%) = 100 x [FN / IN] Specific Growth rate (SGR, % day − 1 ) = 100 x [(ln FBW – ln IBW)/ number of days] Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR, g g − 1 ) = TFI / [FBm-IBm + Bmdf] Hepatosomatic index (HSI) = 100 x [Lm/Bm] Where FN and IN are respectively the final and initial number of fish, FBW and IBW are the mean body weight of fish at the end and at the start of the feeding trial, TFI is the total amount of feed distributed (expressed as dry matter) during the rearing period, FBm and IBm are the final and the initial biomasses, Bmdf: biomass of dead fish, Lm and Bm represent liver wet and body wet mass of fish. Daily feed intake (FI) was determined as the mean of feed quantity consumed by each tank per day. 4. Biochemical analyses The biochemical analysis (proximate: moisture, proteins, lipids, ash) and fatty acids (FA) profiles were analyzed at the laboratory of Blue Biotechnology & Aquatic Bioproducts of the INSTM (B3Aqua; INSTM) using accredited procedures (ISO/CEI 17025). These analyses were performed for experimental diets (Table 1 ), FM and BSF meals (Table 2 ), and fish muscle (Table 4 ). The moisture and ash were both determined gravimetrically according to the AOAC methods (AOAC 2012 ). Briefly, 1g of sample was dried at 105°C for 24h in a hot-air steam cabinet (Memmert, Schwabach, Germany) and the change of mass corresponded to moisture content; then the remaining mass was incinerated at 550°C for 6h in a muffle furnace oven (Protherm, Ankara, Turkey) and the ultimate mass corresponded to ash content. The content of total protein was evaluated with Lowry’s method (Lowry et al. 1951 ) modified by Hartree ( 1972 ) using bovine serum albumin as standard. In this modified method, water-insoluble fractions obtained during cell fractionation are readily dissolved in a concentrated alkaline copper tartrate reagent heated at a temperature of 50°C. The content of total lipids was determined after extraction with chloroform/methanol (2:1 v/v) as described by Folch et al. ( 1957 ). Afterwards, the fatty acids (FA) methyl esters were prepared by transesterification with boron trifluoride in methanol according to the method of Metcalfe et al. ( 1966 ). FA profiles were determined by gas chromatography with an Agilent Technologies chromatograph 6890N equipped with a flame ionization detector, a splitless injector and a polar INNOWAX 30M silica capillary column (0.25 mm i.d. and 0.25 µm film thickness). The temperature of the injector was 220°C and that of the detector was 275°C. Helium at the flow rate of 1.5 ml min − 1 was used as carrier gas. 4. Digestibility of diets After the final sampling (day 60), the remaining fish were replaced in their corresponding tanks and fed again their experimental diet for 2 or 3 more days before sampling for digestibility measurements (sampling was performed on two consecutive days). Few hours (2–4) after first lunch, the remaining fish of the sampled tank were killed in ice-cold water, dissected and feces were collected by manual stripping from the posterior intestine (2 cm before rectum). Feces were pooled by tank, dried, finely ground and then kept frozen at -20°C until further analysis. Chromium content was analyzed by ICP (ISO 11885 − 2007) using an ICP-MS (Mass spectrometer Perkin Elmer Optima 8000) with an acid digestion technique involving nitric acid (ISO 15587 − 2002). Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of protein in experimental diets were calculated using the following formula: ADC (%) = 100 (1-(%Cr 2 O 3 in diet)(% nutrient in feces)/(%Cr 2 O 3 in feces)(%nutrient in diet) 6- Statistical analysis Results are given as mean ± SD. Statistical analysis was performed after verification of homogeneity of the data variances using Levene’s test. Differences were tested with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the LSD Fisher test was applied for post-hoc comparisons when differences were found at P < 0.05. Weight measures were log-transformed and percentages were arcsin transformed before statistical analysis (Zar 1999 ). Non-parametric test (Kruskal Wallis) was used in the case of non-homogeneity of variances (e.g. digestibility, DHA). In case of significant differences (P < 0.05) the Student Newman-Keuls multiple range test was applied on ranks. All statistics were performed using the software Statistica 5.5 (StatSoft). Table 1 Formulation, proximate composition, gross energy and fatty acids contents of the experimental diets FM BSF1 BSF2 BSF3 Ingredients (g kg − 1 diet) Fish meal 180 120 60 0 Insect meal 0 60 120 180 Soybean meal 480 470 460 450 Maize meal 250 270 290 310 Soybean oil 70 60 50 40 Vit-mineral mix a 10 10 10 10 CMC b (binder) 9 9 9 9 Cr 2 O 3 c 1 1 1 1 Proximate composition (g kg-1) Dry Matter 922.2 912.7 916.1 913.2 Protein 463.6 523.2 506.0 527.0 Lipids 91.6 86.9 75.2 74.1 Ash 61.7 59.4 56.6 51.7 “Non nitrogenous extract” 305.3 243.2 278.3 263.4 Gross energy kJ g − 1 16.5 16.3 16.2 16.2 Fatty acids (g 100 g − 1 ) SFA 2.14 1.79 1.82 1.96 MUFA 3.71 3.11 3.16 4.09 FAn-6 4.01 3.67 3.09 3.13 FAn-3 0.08 0.04 0.02 0.04 EPA 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.00 DHA 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.00 PUFA 2.40 2.69 2.47 2.29 a: Vitamin premix and mineral premix were described in Azaza et al. ( 2015 ) b: CMC : carboxymethylcellulose c: Cr 2 O 3 : inert marker used for digestibility trial SFA : saturated fatty acids MUFA : monounsaturated fatty acids PUFA : Polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA : Eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3) DHA : Docosapentaenoic acid (C22:6n-3) Table 2 Proximate composition of fish meal and insect meal (g kg − 1 ) dry matter basis Fish meal Insect meal Protein 466.9 541.1 Lipids 97.4 106.6 Ash 193.4 95.2 DM 927.3 965.8 Results The proximate compositions of the experimental diets FM, BSF1, BSF2, BSF3 are presented in Table 1 . The four experimental diets were similar in proximate composition (protein, lipid, ash, dry matter) and energy content. Their fatty acid composition was greatly affected by the FM or IM inclusion levels, essentially for n-3 FA content (higher in FM). Survival rate was high (93 to 96%) and was not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by substitution of FM by BSF in the diet. All fish quickly accepted the feed and fed actively whatever the substitution level of FM by BSF. Growth performances and feed utilization efficiency data are shown in Table 3 . At the end of the feeding trial, final body weight and SGR of groups fed on BSF diets, (33, 66 and 100% of substitution) were significantly higher than that of the control group (100% FM). No differences appeared between the growth performances of fish fed with different substitution levels. Table 3 Zootechnical performances of Nile tilapia fed experimental diets with increasing replacement (0; 33.3; 66.6; 100%) of FM with IM (mean ± SD) FM BSF1 BSF2 BSF3 Survival (%) 93.3 ± 2.9 95.8 ± 2.9 95.0 ± 2.5 95.0 ± 2.5 IBW (g) 11.8 ± 0.2 11.8 ± 0.2 11.8 ± 0.2 11.8 ± 0.2 FBW(g) 31.4 ± 0.3a 32.6 ± 0.9b 33.7 ± 0.9b 32.9 ± 0.3b SGR (% day − 1 ) 1.6 ± 0.0a 1.7 ± 0.0b 1.7 ± 0.0b 1.7 ± 0.0b FI (g day − 1 ) 19.8 ± 0.9a 20.8 ± 0.7ab 22.1 ± 0.9b 21.9 ± 0.2b FCR 1.4 ± 0.1 1.3 ± 0.1 1.4 ± 0.0 1.3 ± 0.0 HSI 1.9 ± 0.2 1.8 ± 0.5 1.8 ± 0.2 1.9 ± 0.3 ADC protein (%) 86.0 ± 4 83.6 ± 10.0 81.6 ± 0.6 88.9 ± 1.4 Values represent the mean ± SD of triplicate tanks Different letters within a row indicate significant differences (P < 0.05) No significant differences were observed for feed conversion ratio (FCR) as well as hepato-somatic indexes (HSI) between groups fed on experimental diets. ADC of Protein was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary treatment. Nevertheless, feed intake was significantly higher for fish fed with BSF2 and BSF3 diets compared to those fed with FM while the fish fed with BSF1 diet showed an intermediary value, i.e. not differing neither from those fed the FM diet nor from those fed the BSF2 and BSF3 diets. Table 4 Biochemical composition of muscle fillet of juvenile Nile Tilapia (g 100 g − 1 ) FM BSF1 BSF2 BSF3 Protein 13.62 ± 0.56 14.18 ± 0.94 13.96 ± 0.33 14.49 ± 0.86 Lipids 1.45 ± 0.5 1.17 ± 0.38 1.17 ± 0.14 1.40 ± 0.11 Ash 1.32 ± 0.19 1.19 ± 0.06 1.19 ± 0.17 1.25 ± 0.11 FAn-6 0.36 ± 0.13 0.27 ± 0.09 0.27 ± 0.04 0.31 ± 0.03 FAn-3 0.07 ± 0.03 0.06 ± 0.03 0.05 ± 0.01 0.05 ± 0.01 DHA 0.05 ± 0.02 0.05 ± 0.02 0.03 ± 0.01 0.03 ± 0.01 Values represent mean ± SD of triplicate tanks *EPAvalues : under limit of quantification Discussion In this study, we investigated the effects of partial or total replacement of FM by BSF meal in juvenile Nile tilapia’s diet. For such, isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets with increasing substitution of FM by BSF, up to complete replacement, were tested for feeding juveniles in RAS conditions for 60 days. Growth performance, survival, feed efficiency, body composition and crude protein digestibility were studied as effect’s indicators. The experiment was led in satisfactory conditions (good water quality, fish in good conditions, diet immediately accepted) and the number of replicates allowed to draw clear conclusions. Survival rates were high for all treatments and not affected by FM substitution. The growth performance and FCR data obtained with the control diet were satisfying and consistent with previous studies performed in our laboratory (Azaza et al. 2009 ). This control diet, containing 18% FM is generally used for Nile tilapia feeding and is considered satisfactory in terms of fish growth performance combined with the cost. In the present study, whatever the level of IM inclusion in the diet, Nile tilapia showed better growth performances with diets containing BSF meals. A similar study (Wachira et al. 2021 ) with larger size of juveniles Nile tilapia (35 g) also fed diets with increasing FM substitution levels showed a slight increase in both growth and feed intake, compared to control diet containing 33% of substitution level. However, a decrease of both indicators was reported for total substitution in that study. According to us, this decrease may be explained by excessive amounts of lipids (14.3 and 21.6%) compared to the requirements of this species. Thus, to our knowledge, our present study is the first one showing that total replacement of FM by IM in the diet of Nile tilapia is possible, that it allowed to obtain better growth performances. These better results obtained with IM diets seem related to FI which is significantly higher in fish fed on BSF2 and BSF3 diets compared to fish fed on FM one (intermediary value for BSF1). These higher values of FI for diets containing the highest levels of IM (especially BSF2 and BSF3) might be related to a better palatability of these diets. Replacing 33 to 100% of the FM component of Nile tilapia diets with BSF meal did not significantly affect FCR (1.3 to 1.4). These low FCR values reflected high quality feed and appeared satisfying and lower than those obtained by Wachira et al. ( 2021 ) with the same species fed on diet containing 33% BSF meal (2.1) and even higher with 100% substitution level (2.9). The similar values of HSI for all treatments showed that dietary IM inclusion in the diet did not affect the liver and did not cause a metabolic disorder. This assumption is in accordance with the results obtained by the other authors (Ogunji et al. 2007 ), who did not observe a significant effect of IM on liver activities (glycogen reserves and hepatic catalase activity) when Nile tilapia juveniles were fed with diets containing house fly maggot meal or FM. In the same way, a proteomic analysis did not evidence any sign of damage or inflammation in the liver morphology of gilthead sea bream fed on diet containing 10% IM (Anedda et al. 2023 ). The requirements for optimum growth of Nile tilapia are about 30 to 35% protein at juvenile stage (Mjoun et al. 2010 ) and 10–15% lipids (Ng and Chong 2004 ). However, better survival rate, growth and feed conversion ratio were obtained for Nile tilapia fry and juveniles fed with 40–45% rather than 25–35% protein (Al Hafedh 2001 ). Considering these protein and lipid requirements as well as the good performances of the BSF groups we can assume that proximate composition of the present experimental BSF diets containing 50.6 to 52.7% proteins, and 7.4 to 8.7% lipids clearly satisfied the Nile tilapia requirements at the studied juvenile stage. BSF larvae are generally pointed as a good source of protein and lipids and could substitute the FM in diets. Indeed, it contains approximately 41% protein and 29% lipids on a dry weight basis (Wang and Shelomi 2017 ; Liland et al. 2017 ). Moreover, Hermetia illucens larvae meal shows an EAA profile very similar to that of FM (Gasco et al. 2019 ; Gasco et al. 2020 ). However, it’s known that IM contains very poor levels of n-3 FA (essentially eicosapentaenoic acic EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA) compared to FM (Barroso et al. 2014 ; Tran et al. 2015 ). In our study, control diet contained higher levels of n-3 FA and DHA than BSF diets due to the FM composition. But, at the end of the trial, the composition of muscle fillets in fish fed BSF diets was comparable to that of fish fed FM diet (n-3 FA and DHA). These results are different from those obtained by Li et al. ( 2016 ) and Saint Hilaire et al. ( 2007 ) where fatty acid composition of muscle of Jian carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) and rainbow trout respectively fed with BSF meal was closely related to dietary fatty acid composition. Our results confirmed the capacity of this species to elongate and desaturate C18 PUFA to biosynthesize C20/C22 Long Chain-PUFA previously demonstrated by Teoh et al. ( 2011 ) and Olsen et al. ( 1990 ) comparing compositions of Nile Tilapia muscles when fish were fed fish oil or vegetable oil. Nile tilapia is known to require greater amounts of n-6 fatty acids than n-3 fatty acids for maximal growth (Teoh et al. 2011 ; Hsieh et al. 2007 ; Chetoui et al. 2022 ). Indeed, these latter authors did not obtain improvement of growth and feed conversion efficiency with incorporation of cod liver oil (rich in PUFA n-3) compared to soybean oil (rich in PUFA n-6). Thus, the levels of n-3 FA in the diet do not seem to be a limiting factor for Nile tilapia. In this concern, it is useful to know that lipid content and FA composition of the BSF meal can be modulated by their diet and thus may be adapted according to needs of target species. Indeed, an increase of EPA and DHA content was observed when BSF larvae and pre-pupae are fed on fish by-products compared to the wheat bran (Arena et al. 2023 ). Several studies showed that relatively high levels of dietary IM inclusion may alter growth performances, nutrient digestibility or fatty acid profile in Nile tilapia (Agbohessou et al. 2021 ; Wachira et al. 2021 ; Sanchez-Muros et al. 2016) and other fish species like rainbow trout, red seabream (Renna et al. 2017 ; Sealey et al. 2011 ; Takakuwa et al. 2022 ) or turbot (Kroeckel et al. 2012 ). For this purpose, a limit of inclusion level (10 to 50%) of IM in the diet is often suggested for Nile tilapia to not cause adverse effects on growth and feed utilization efficiency (Muin et al. 2017 ; Tubin et al. 2020 ). It’s not the case in our study where the total replacement of FM by IM did not affect any parameter concerning the feed efficiency (FCR, digestibility). In our study, Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of crude proteins was very similar in diets containing FM and IM (82 to 89%) and seems to be satisfactory. These values are higher than those reported by Fontes et al. ( 2019 ), comparing IM from different species (other than Hermetia illucens ) for feeding Nile tilapia fingerlings varying from 39.7 to 70%, except for Tenebrio molitor meal (85.4%). In a recent study (Ogunji et al. 2008 ), higher ADC of protein in BSFM diets compared with FM based diets were obtained in the feeding experiment of red hybrid tilapia. Nevertheless, the BSF diet used by these authors contained also FM and the authors did not test 100% substitution level. Other authors observed reduced protein digestibility with IM used to feed fish species like Atlantic salmon (Belghit et al. 2018 ), red sea bream (Takakuwa et al. 2022 ) or Nile tilapia (Ogunji et al. 2008 ). The lower digestibility of the diets containing IM was often attributed to the presence of chitin (Kroeckel et al 2012 ; Saint Hilaire et al 2007 ) that could also decrease the feed intake and growth performances in fish species like turbot (Kroeckel et al. 2012 ) and Nile tilapia (Shiau and Yu 1999 ). The chitin content was not analyzed in our study but, whatever could be it content, it did not seem to alter the digestibility of the diets or feed intake for this species. Moreover, as an omnivorous fish, Nile tilapia is known to have capacity for chitin digestibility (Fontes et al. 2019 ; Eggink et al. 2022 ) and is even able to regulate the production of an exochitinase in proximal and distal intestine depending on the dietary chitin intake (Eggink et al. 2022 ). Considering the diet digestibility, feed intake and growth we can assume that BSF meal was well assimilated by Nile tilapia and that digestive tract structures should not have been altered by dietary inclusion of IM. Nevertheless, further studies on the specific effects of BSF meal inclusion in the diet on digestive structures or enzyme activities would be of interest for the confirmation. In this way, some authors (Belghit et al. 2019 ) did not observe any negative effects of dietary IM on the proteinase activity and total bile acids levels in the digestion of Atlantic salmon. Feeding fish with IM as protein source can even lead to beneficial effect on intestinal microbiota as it was reported for seabream (Rimoldi et al. 2024 ) and rainbow trout (Terova et al. 2019 ). All these arguments in favor of IM inclusion in the diet of Nile tilapia and other fish species are strengthened by economic context and sustainability concerns, even though nowadays, the prices of insect meals (EUR 3500 to 5500/ton) are higher than the prices of fish meal (EUR 1000 to 1700 /ton). The production of IM will probably increase in the near future, and the prices will decrease (Fletcher et al. 2021) due, among others, to several partnerships between insect producers and multinational aquafeed companies (FAO 2022 ). Conclusion Our study demonstrates for the first time that Hermetia illucens larvae meal may totally replace FM in the diet of Nile tilapia juveniles. Presenting high protein level and good digestibility, it significantly improved fish growth performances. Considering the increasing price of FM and the reduction of its availability, in conjunction with the evolution of production and price of insect meal, BSF meal may be an economical and sustainable feedstuff for Nile tilapia. Further studies should be performed to evaluate the effects of dietary IM on digestive structures and enzyme activities in Nile tilapia and evaluate more precisely the quality of the tilapia flesh (essential fatty acids content and organoleptic perception) at commercial size when fish are fed with IM. Declarations Aknowledgements This work has been realized in the framework of VRR (Valorization of Research Results) project financed by Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Authors thank Pr Saloua Sadok for biochemical analysis and nextProtein for providing Black Soldier Fly larvae meal. Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors have no relevant financial interests to disclose. Authors contributions Study conception and design was performed by Mohamed Salah Azaza The experiment (materials, methods, results analysis) was performed by Neila Hamza and Ines Ben Khemis The manuscript (first draft) have been written by Neila Hamza The feed (insect meal) was provided by Mohamed Gastli and Wael Fraihi All the authors have participated to corrections and approval of the manuscript Data availability The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request Ethics Authors confirm that this study was approved by ethical committee (in the INSTM) concerning the animal treatment. 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sector and currently produces more than half of the aquatic products intended for human consumption (FAO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). It is therefore a key sector for maintaining and improving food security in the world. However, its rapid growth is already having a significant impact on the environment, particularly on the wild fish stocks on which it depends for the manufacture of aquafeed. In fact, Fish Meal \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003eFM), obtained from wild fish catches, is still one of the major ingredients, used mainly as protein as well as lipid sources. Due to the stagnation and even the decline of world fish catches in conjunction with the increased demand for FM, increased costs are observed and are expected to pursue. The FM industry also uprises major concerns of sustainability. Furthermore, to reduce poverty and provide affordable food products for vulnerable human communities, Shannon and Waller (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) advocate for direction of a greater proportion of forage fish catches to direct human consumption while ensuring marine ecosystem functioning and sustainability and encourage bio-recycling as a sustainable alternative for feed-based aquaculture.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the above-mentioned economic and ecological reasons, several research studies tried to find alternative meal sources to FM in aquaculture aiming to preserve the fish performances and physiological status or to improve them. During the last decades, the use of FM in aquafeed had particularly decreased in favor of vegetable sources (Borgeson et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Messina et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Montoya-Camacho et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Plant proteins like soybean meal or wheat gluten were considered as the most efficient alternatives for FM due to their high protein content, high digestibility, relatively well-balanced amino acid profiles and reasonable price (Storebakken et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). However, this approach seems less suitable for ensuring the nutritional requirements of the fish because of the presence of antinutritional factors (Bureau et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1998\u003c/span\u003e). It may not only decrease the growth performances and the feed conversion efficiency (Wang et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR64\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) but may also induce intestinal disturbances (Willora et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR65\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this context, several studies aiming for the replacement of FM with insect meal (IM) in the diet of fish have emerged in the last decade with promising results (Agbohessou et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Barroso et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Basto et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Henry et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Mastoraki et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Indeed, considering the high costs and limited availability of conventional feed resources such as soybean meal and FM, Makkar et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e) suggested that non-conventional resources like IM may represent a viable alternative.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRearing insects presents a valuable method to recycle and valorize agricultural bio-waste (Makkar et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e), addressing the significant issue of food waste, as approximately one-third of global food production is lost or wasted (FAO \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). The primary advantages of rearing insects include their efficient waste conversion into valuable food biomass and reduced environmental impacts (Henry et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Wang and Shelomi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIM contains high content of crude protein varying from 42 to 63% (Tran et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), with an essential amino acids (EAA) profile similar to that of FM (Barroso et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Henry et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). It also supplies lipids (31 to 43%), vitamins, and minerals. Consequently, it has been used to feed both marine and freshwater fish species such as European sea bass (\u003cem\u003eDicentrarchus labrax)\u003c/em\u003e (Basto et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Mastoraki et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), Atlantic salmon (\u003cem\u003eSalmo salar)\u003c/em\u003e (Belghit et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), Rainbow trout (\u003cem\u003eOnchorhyncus mykiss)\u003c/em\u003e (Caimi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), Gilthead sea bream (\u003cem\u003eSparus aurata\u003c/em\u003e) (Anedda et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Rimoldi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), Turbot (\u003cem\u003ePsetta maxima\u003c/em\u003e) (Kroeckel et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e), and Nile tilapia (\u003cem\u003eOreochromis niloticus\u003c/em\u003e) (Borgeson et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Muin et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecent studies on Nile tilapia, one of the most important freshwater fish species farmed in the world, dealt with IM substitution in diets and its effect on growth performances and feed efficiency (Agbohessou et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Amer et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Fontes et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Muin and Taufek \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Ogunji et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e; Tippayadara et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Tubin et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Wachira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). These studies demonstrated the high potential of IM to satisfy the nutritional requirements of this omnivorous species.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNile tilapia requirements for optimum growth at juvenile stage (Mjoun et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e) are about 30 to 35% protein and 10\u0026ndash;15% lipids (Ng and Chong \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). However, higher dietary protein level (40\u0026ndash;45%) was suggested to obtain better growth and feed conversion ratio at the same stage (Al Hafedh \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to investigate the impact of partial or total replacement of FM by IM from BSF (\u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens)\u003c/em\u003e larvae meal in diets of Nile tilapia juveniles and particularly on growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition and crude protein digestibility.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and methods","content":"\n\u003ch3\u003e1. Fish and experimental conditions\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nile tilapia juveniles (\u003cem\u003eOreochromis niloticus\u003c/em\u003e) were obtained from the hatchery of the research station of the INSTM at Bechima (Gabes, Tunisia). For the feeding trial, a group of juveniles was transferred to the experimental facility of aquaculture Laboratory of INSTM (National Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Kheireddine, Tunisia).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe experimental rearing was conducted in a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) equipped with a 12 cylindroconical polyester-fiberglass tanks of 500 L, a 1000 L collector tank, a 0.75 kW pump (Porpoise 16, Speck Pumpen, Neunkirchen am Sand, Germany), a sand filter, a moving bed biofilter and a heating system (Zodiac Redline 13100) for maintaining rearing water temperature within the optimal range for Nile tilapia (Azaza et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). After a few days of acclimation within 1000 L cylindroconical polyester-fiberglass tanks the fish were sorted to select as much as possible an homogenous batch. A total of 480 sorted juveniles (mean weight 11.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0,2g) were randomly dispatched to obtain 12 batches of 40 fish each and equally distributed into 12 cylindrical fiberglass tanks (500 L). Each three tanks were then randomly assigned to one of the four experimental diets (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3 per treatment). Prior to the start of the feeding trial, fish were acclimated to the facility for one week. During this week, dead fish (if any) and apparently stressed fish were replaced by fish of similar weight. Throughout the experimental period, tanks received recycled freshwater at a renewal flow rate of 3 L min\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e tank\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e. Temperature was maintained at 26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u0026deg;C and dissolved oxygen was maintained consistently over 7 mg L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e using bluwed air through stone diffusers. A natural photoperiod, corresponding to10h L/14h D was applied. Total nitrite, nitrate and ammonia were weekly controlled, using spectrophotometer (Jenway 6405 UV/vis) and Sigma-Spectroquant kits NO3-, NO2-, NH4+), to ensure that water quality remained within limits recommended for Nile tilapia culture (Ross \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFish were hand fed to apparent satiation, three times a day (09:00; 13:00; 17:00), six days a week for 60 days. Apparent satiation was set at observation of first feed refusal. Daily feed intake for each tank was obtained by weighing the feed at the start and end of each day. Dead fish (if any) were collected daily and weighed to estimate survival rates and Feed conversion efficiency. To maintain good health conditions, the tanks bottom was siphoned twice a day to eliminate feces and maintain a good water quality.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2. Feed ingredients and Diets\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour isonitrogenous (crude protein between 46.4 to 52.7 g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) and isoenergetic (16.2 to 16.5 kJ g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) experimental diets were formulated as previously described by Azaza et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). They consisted in one control diet, in which fish meal was the main protein source (FM), and three diets in which 33.3, 66.6 and 100% of the fish meal was substituted with Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae meal (BSF1, BSF2, BSF3, respectively). The BSF larvae meal used in this study was provided by the company nextProtein, Tunisia \u003cem\u003e(\u003c/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ewww.nextprotein.com\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"http://www.nextprotein.com\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan type=\"ItalicUnderline\" class=\"ItalicUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe experimental diets were prepared at the Centre Technique d\u0026rsquo;Aquaculture (CTA). All the ingredients and oils were individually weighed and mixed in a large food mixer using 10g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a binder. Each of the diets was supplemented with a dose of 10 g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e vitamins and minerals premix as well as 1 g Kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e chromic oxide (Cr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e) as a non-absorbable-indicator for the evaluation of apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC). After a few minutes of dry mixing, water was added gradually to obtain a past-like consistency and then the mixture was noodled with a large stainless steel meat grinder of 3 mm die sizes. The noodles were then dried in a ventilated space during 24h (ambient temperature of 26\u0026deg;C). The dry noodles of feed were crushed and graded to obtain suitable pellet sizes (3 mm) according to fish sizes (Azaza et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e) and then stored in a freezer at -20\u0026deg;C until use.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFormulation and proximate compositions of experimental diets are presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3. Sampling - (Growth performances, somatic indexes and biochemical composition of fish)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the trial (day 60) all fish were starved for 24h, anesthetized (0.05 L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e eugenol Carlo Erba RPE) and individually weighed to determine growth and weight gain. In addition, six fish per tank were randomly euthanized in ice cold water and liver as well as muscle (4-5g) samples were collected to measure hepatosomatic index (HSI) and analyze filet proximate and fatty acid composition. The samples for biochemical analysis were immediately frozen at -20\u0026deg;C and then stored at -80\u0026deg;C until processing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe growth performance and somatic indexes were calculated as follow:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurvival (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 x [FN / IN]\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpecific Growth rate (SGR, % day\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 x [(ln FBW \u0026ndash; ln IBW)/ number of days]\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed Conversion Ratio (FCR, g g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;TFI / [FBm-IBm\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Bmdf]\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHepatosomatic index (HSI)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 x [Lm/Bm]\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere FN and IN are respectively the final and initial number of fish, FBW and IBW are the mean body weight of fish at the end and at the start of the feeding trial, TFI is the total amount of feed distributed (expressed as dry matter) during the rearing period, FBm and IBm are the final and the initial biomasses, Bmdf: biomass of dead fish, Lm and Bm represent liver wet and body wet mass of fish.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDaily feed intake (FI) was determined as the mean of feed quantity consumed by each tank per day.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4. Biochemical analyses\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe biochemical analysis (proximate: moisture, proteins, lipids, ash) and fatty acids (FA) profiles were analyzed at the laboratory of Blue Biotechnology \u0026amp; Aquatic Bioproducts of the INSTM (B3Aqua; INSTM) using accredited procedures (ISO/CEI 17025). These analyses were performed for experimental diets (Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), FM and BSF meals (Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), and fish muscle (Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe moisture and ash were both determined gravimetrically according to the AOAC methods (AOAC \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Briefly, 1g of sample was dried at 105\u0026deg;C for 24h in a hot-air steam cabinet (Memmert, Schwabach, Germany) and the change of mass corresponded to moisture content; then the remaining mass was incinerated at 550\u0026deg;C for 6h in a muffle furnace oven (Protherm, Ankara, Turkey) and the ultimate mass corresponded to ash content.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe content of total protein was evaluated with Lowry\u0026rsquo;s method (Lowry et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1951\u003c/span\u003e) modified by Hartree (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1972\u003c/span\u003e) using bovine serum albumin as standard. In this modified method, water-insoluble fractions obtained during cell fractionation are readily dissolved in a concentrated alkaline copper tartrate reagent heated at a temperature of 50\u0026deg;C.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe content of total lipids was determined after extraction with chloroform/methanol (2:1 v/v) as described by Folch et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1957\u003c/span\u003e). Afterwards, the fatty acids (FA) methyl esters were prepared by transesterification with boron trifluoride in methanol according to the method of Metcalfe et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1966\u003c/span\u003e). FA profiles were determined by gas chromatography with an Agilent Technologies chromatograph 6890N equipped with a flame ionization detector, a splitless injector and a polar INNOWAX 30M silica capillary column (0.25 mm i.d. and 0.25 \u0026micro;m film thickness). The temperature of the injector was 220\u0026deg;C and that of the detector was 275\u0026deg;C. Helium at the flow rate of 1.5 ml min\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e was used as carrier gas.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4. Digestibility of diets\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the final sampling (day 60), the remaining fish were replaced in their corresponding tanks and fed again their experimental diet for 2 or 3 more days before sampling for digestibility measurements (sampling was performed on two consecutive days). Few hours (2\u0026ndash;4) after first lunch, the remaining fish of the sampled tank were killed in ice-cold water, dissected and feces were collected by manual stripping from the posterior intestine (2 cm before rectum). Feces were pooled by tank, dried, finely ground and then kept frozen at -20\u0026deg;C until further analysis. Chromium content was analyzed by ICP (ISO 11885\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2007) using an ICP-MS (Mass spectrometer Perkin Elmer Optima 8000) with an acid digestion technique involving nitric acid (ISO 15587\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2002). Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of protein in experimental diets were calculated using the following formula:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eADC (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 (1-(%Cr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e in diet)(% nutrient in feces)/(%Cr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e in feces)(%nutrient in diet)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e6- Statistical analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResults are given as mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD. Statistical analysis was performed after verification of homogeneity of the data variances using Levene\u0026rsquo;s test. Differences were tested with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the LSD Fisher test was applied for post-hoc comparisons when differences were found at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05. Weight measures were log-transformed and percentages were arcsin transformed before statistical analysis (Zar \u003cspan citationid=\"CR66\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e). Non-parametric test (Kruskal Wallis) was used in the case of non-homogeneity of variances (e.g. digestibility, DHA). In case of significant differences (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) the Student Newman-Keuls multiple range test was applied on ranks. All statistics were performed using the software Statistica 5.5 (StatSoft).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFormulation, proximate composition, gross energy and fatty acids contents of the experimental diets\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIngredients (g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e diet)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFish meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e180\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInsect meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e180\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoybean meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e480\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e470\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e460\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e450\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaize meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e270\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e290\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e310\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoybean oil\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVit-mineral mix\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCMC\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e (binder)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProximate composition (g kg-1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry Matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e922.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e912.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e916.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e913.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e463.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e523.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e506.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e527.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLipids\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e91.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAsh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;Non nitrogenous extract\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e305.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e243.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e278.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e263.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGross energy kJ g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFatty acids (g 100 g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSFA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMUFA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFAn-6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFAn-3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEPA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDHA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePUFA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ea: Vitamin premix and mineral premix were described in Azaza et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eb: CMC : carboxymethylcellulose\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ec: Cr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e : inert marker used for digestibility trial\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSFA : saturated fatty acids\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMUFA : monounsaturated fatty acids\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePUFA : Polyunsaturated fatty acids\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEPA : Eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDHA : Docosapentaenoic acid (C22:6n-3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProximate composition of fish meal and insect meal (g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) dry matter basis\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFish meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInsect meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e466.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e541.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLipids\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e106.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAsh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e193.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e927.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e965.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe proximate compositions of the experimental diets FM, BSF1, BSF2, BSF3 are presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The four experimental diets were similar in proximate composition (protein, lipid, ash, dry matter) and energy content. Their fatty acid composition was greatly affected by the FM or IM inclusion levels, essentially for n-3 FA content (higher in FM).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurvival rate was high (93 to 96%) and was not significantly (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) affected by substitution of FM by BSF in the diet. All fish quickly accepted the feed and fed actively whatever the substitution level of FM by BSF.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrowth performances and feed utilization efficiency data are shown in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e. At the end of the feeding trial, final body weight and SGR of groups fed on BSF diets, (33, 66 and 100% of substitution) were significantly higher than that of the control group (100% FM). No differences appeared between the growth performances of fish fed with different substitution levels.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eZootechnical performances of Nile tilapia fed experimental diets with increasing replacement (0; 33.3; 66.6; 100%) of FM with IM (mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurvival (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e93.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIBW (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFBW(g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.3a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.3b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSGR (% day\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFI (g day \u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7ab\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFCR\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHSI\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eADC protein (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eValues represent the mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD of triplicate tanks\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDifferent letters within a row indicate significant differences (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo significant differences were observed for feed conversion ratio (FCR) as well as hepato-somatic indexes (HSI) between groups fed on experimental diets.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eADC of Protein was not significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) affected by dietary treatment. Nevertheless, feed intake was significantly higher for fish fed with BSF2 and BSF3 diets compared to those fed with FM while the fish fed with BSF1 diet showed an intermediary value, \u003cem\u003ei.e.\u003c/em\u003e not differing neither from those fed the FM diet nor from those fed the BSF2 and BSF3 diets.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBiochemical composition of muscle fillet of juvenile Nile Tilapia (g 100 g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLipids\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAsh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFAn-6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFAn-3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDHA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eValues represent mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD of triplicate tanks\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e*EPAvalues : under limit of quantification\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this study, we investigated the effects of partial or total replacement of FM by BSF meal in juvenile Nile tilapia\u0026rsquo;s diet. For such, isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets with increasing substitution of FM by BSF, up to complete replacement, were tested for feeding juveniles in RAS conditions for 60 days. Growth performance, survival, feed efficiency, body composition and crude protein digestibility were studied as effect\u0026rsquo;s indicators.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe experiment was led in satisfactory conditions (good water quality, fish in good conditions, diet immediately accepted) and the number of replicates allowed to draw clear conclusions. Survival rates were high for all treatments and not affected by FM substitution. The growth performance and FCR data obtained with the control diet were satisfying and consistent with previous studies performed in our laboratory (Azaza et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). This control diet, containing 18% FM is generally used for Nile tilapia feeding and is considered satisfactory in terms of fish growth performance combined with the cost.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the present study, whatever the level of IM inclusion in the diet, Nile tilapia showed better growth performances with diets containing BSF meals. A similar study (Wachira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) with larger size of juveniles Nile tilapia (35 g) also fed diets with increasing FM substitution levels showed a slight increase in both growth and feed intake, compared to control diet containing 33% of substitution level. However, a decrease of both indicators was reported for total substitution in that study. According to us, this decrease may be explained by excessive amounts of lipids (14.3 and 21.6%) compared to the requirements of this species. Thus, to our knowledge, our present study is the first one showing that total replacement of FM by IM in the diet of Nile tilapia is possible, that it allowed to obtain better growth performances.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese better results obtained with IM diets seem related to FI which is significantly higher in fish fed on BSF2 and BSF3 diets compared to fish fed on FM one (intermediary value for BSF1). These higher values of FI for diets containing the highest levels of IM (especially BSF2 and BSF3) might be related to a better palatability of these diets.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReplacing 33 to 100% of the FM component of Nile tilapia diets with BSF meal did not significantly affect FCR (1.3 to 1.4). These low FCR values reflected high quality feed and appeared satisfying and lower than those obtained by Wachira et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) with the same species fed on diet containing 33% BSF meal (2.1) and even higher with 100% substitution level (2.9).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe similar values of HSI for all treatments showed that dietary IM inclusion in the diet did not affect the liver and did not cause a metabolic disorder. This assumption is in accordance with the results obtained by the other authors (Ogunji et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e), who did not observe a significant effect of IM on liver activities (glycogen reserves and hepatic catalase activity) when Nile tilapia juveniles were fed with diets containing house fly maggot meal or FM. In the same way, a proteomic analysis did not evidence any sign of damage or inflammation in the liver morphology of gilthead sea bream fed on diet containing 10% IM (Anedda et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe requirements for optimum growth of Nile tilapia are about 30 to 35% protein at juvenile stage (Mjoun et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e) and 10\u0026ndash;15% lipids (Ng and Chong \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). However, better survival rate, growth and feed conversion ratio were obtained for Nile tilapia fry and juveniles fed with 40\u0026ndash;45% rather than 25\u0026ndash;35% protein (Al Hafedh \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e). Considering these protein and lipid requirements as well as the good performances of the BSF groups we can assume that proximate composition of the present experimental BSF diets containing 50.6 to 52.7% proteins, and 7.4 to 8.7% lipids clearly satisfied the Nile tilapia requirements at the studied juvenile stage.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF larvae are generally pointed as a good source of protein and lipids and could substitute the FM in diets. Indeed, it contains approximately 41% protein and 29% lipids on a dry weight basis (Wang and Shelomi \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Liland et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Moreover, \u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens\u003c/em\u003e larvae meal shows an EAA profile very similar to that of FM (Gasco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Gasco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, it\u0026rsquo;s known that IM contains very poor levels of n-3 FA (essentially eicosapentaenoic acic EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA) compared to FM (Barroso et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Tran et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). In our study, control diet contained higher levels of n-3 FA and DHA than BSF diets due to the FM composition. But, at the end of the trial, the composition of muscle fillets in fish fed BSF diets was comparable to that of fish fed FM diet (n-3 FA and DHA). These results are different from those obtained by Li et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e) and Saint Hilaire et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e) where fatty acid composition of muscle of Jian carp (\u003cem\u003eCyprinus carpio\u003c/em\u003e) and rainbow trout respectively fed with BSF meal was closely related to dietary fatty acid composition.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur results confirmed the capacity of this species to elongate and desaturate C18 PUFA to biosynthesize C20/C22 Long Chain-PUFA previously demonstrated by Teoh et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e) and Olsen et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e) comparing compositions of Nile Tilapia muscles when fish were fed fish oil or vegetable oil.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNile tilapia is known to require greater amounts of n-6 fatty acids than n-3 fatty acids for maximal growth (Teoh et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Hsieh et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e; Chetoui et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Indeed, these latter authors did not obtain improvement of growth and feed conversion efficiency with incorporation of cod liver oil (rich in PUFA n-3) compared to soybean oil (rich in PUFA n-6). Thus, the levels of n-3 FA in the diet do not seem to be a limiting factor for Nile tilapia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e In this concern, it is useful to know that lipid content and FA composition of the BSF meal can be modulated by their diet and thus may be adapted according to needs of target species. Indeed, an increase of EPA and DHA content was observed when BSF larvae and pre-pupae are fed on fish by-products compared to the wheat bran (Arena et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeveral studies showed that relatively high levels of dietary IM inclusion may alter growth performances, nutrient digestibility or fatty acid profile in Nile tilapia (Agbohessou et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Wachira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Sanchez-Muros et al. 2016) and other fish species like rainbow trout, red seabream (Renna et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Sealey et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Takakuwa et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) or turbot (Kroeckel et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). For this purpose, a limit of inclusion level (10 to 50%) of IM in the diet is often suggested for Nile tilapia to not cause adverse effects on growth and feed utilization efficiency (Muin et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Tubin et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). It\u0026rsquo;s not the case in our study where the total replacement of FM by IM did not affect any parameter concerning the feed efficiency (FCR, digestibility).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn our study, Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of crude proteins was very similar in diets containing FM and IM (82 to 89%) and seems to be satisfactory. These values are higher than those reported by Fontes et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), comparing IM from different species (other than \u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens\u003c/em\u003e) for feeding Nile tilapia fingerlings varying from 39.7 to 70%, except for \u003cem\u003eTenebrio molitor\u003c/em\u003e meal (85.4%). In a recent study (Ogunji et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e), higher ADC of protein in BSFM diets compared with FM based diets were obtained in the feeding experiment of red hybrid tilapia. Nevertheless, the BSF diet used by these authors contained also FM and the authors did not test 100% substitution level. Other authors observed reduced protein digestibility with IM used to feed fish species like Atlantic salmon (Belghit et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), red sea bream (Takakuwa et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) or Nile tilapia (Ogunji et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe lower digestibility of the diets containing IM was often attributed to the presence of chitin (Kroeckel et al \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Saint Hilaire et al \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e) that could also decrease the feed intake and growth performances in fish species like turbot (Kroeckel et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) and Nile tilapia (Shiau and Yu \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e). The chitin content was not analyzed in our study but, whatever could be it\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003econtent, it did not seem to alter the digestibility of the diets or feed intake for this species. Moreover, as an omnivorous fish, Nile tilapia is known to have capacity for chitin digestibility (Fontes et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Eggink et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) and is even able to regulate the production of an exochitinase in proximal and distal intestine depending on the dietary chitin intake (Eggink et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConsidering the diet digestibility, feed intake and growth we can assume that BSF meal was well assimilated by Nile tilapia and that digestive tract structures should not have been altered by dietary inclusion of IM. Nevertheless, further studies on the specific effects of BSF meal inclusion in the diet on digestive structures or enzyme activities would be of interest for the confirmation. In this way, some authors (Belghit et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) did not observe any negative effects of dietary IM on the proteinase activity and total bile acids levels in the digestion of Atlantic salmon.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding fish with IM as protein source can even lead to beneficial effect on intestinal microbiota as it was reported for seabream (Rimoldi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) and rainbow trout (Terova et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll these arguments in favor of IM inclusion in the diet of Nile tilapia and other fish species are strengthened by economic context and sustainability concerns, even though nowadays, the prices of insect meals (EUR 3500 to 5500/ton) are higher than the prices of fish meal (EUR 1000 to 1700 /ton). The production of IM will probably increase in the near future, and the prices will decrease (Fletcher et al. 2021) due, among others, to several partnerships between insect producers and multinational aquafeed companies (FAO \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eOur study demonstrates for the first time that \u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens\u003c/em\u003e larvae meal may totally replace FM in the diet of Nile tilapia juveniles. Presenting high protein level and good digestibility, it significantly improved fish growth performances.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConsidering the increasing price of FM and the reduction of its availability, in conjunction with the evolution of production and price of insect meal, BSF meal may be an economical and sustainable feedstuff for Nile tilapia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurther studies should be performed to evaluate the effects of dietary IM on digestive structures and enzyme activities in Nile tilapia and evaluate more precisely the quality of the tilapia flesh (essential fatty acids content and organoleptic perception) at commercial size when fish are fed with IM.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAknowledgements\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work has been realized in the framework of VRR (Valorization of Research Results) project financed by Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Authors thank Pr Saloua Sadok for biochemical analysis and \u003cem\u003enextProtein\u003c/em\u003e for providing Black Soldier Fly larvae meal.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors have no relevant financial interests to disclose.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudy conception and design was performed by Mohamed Salah Azaza\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe experiment (materials, methods, results analysis) was performed by Neila Hamza and Ines Ben Khemis\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manuscript (first draft) have been written by Neila Hamza\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe feed (insect meal) was provided by Mohamed Gastli and Wael Fraihi\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the authors have participated to corrections and approval of the manuscript\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eData availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eEthics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthors confirm that this study was approved by ethical committee (in the INSTM) concerning the animal treatment.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgbohessou PS, Mandiki SNM, Gougb\u0026eacute;dji A, Megido RC, Hossain MdS, De Jaeger P, Larondelle Y, Francis F, Lal\u0026egrave;y\u0026egrave; PA, Kestemont P (2021). 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Foods 6:91.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWang J, Liang D, Yang Q, Tan B, Dong X, Chi S, Liu H, Zhang S (2020) The effect of partial replacement of fish meal by soy protein concentrate on growth performance, immune responses, gut morphology and intestinal inflammation for juvenile hybrid grouper (\u003cem\u003eEpinephelus fuscoguttatus\u003c/em\u003e ♀ \u003cem\u003e\u0026times; Epinephelus lanceolatus\u003c/em\u003e ♂) Fish Shell Immunol 98:619-631.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWillora FP, Vatsos NI, Mallioris P, Bordignon F, Keizer S, Martınez-Llorens S, S\u0026oslash;rensen M, Hagen \u0026Oslash; (2022) Replacement of fishmeal with plant protein in the diets of juvenile lumpfish (\u003cem\u003eCyclopterus lumpus\u003c/em\u003e, L. 1758): Effects on digestive enzymes and microscopic structure of the digestive tract Aquaculture 561, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738601\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZar JH (1999) Biostatistical analysis. 4\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e ed. Prentice Hall. Englewood Cliffs; NJ; USA 663pp\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Alternative protein, Black soldier fly, feed formulation, insect meal, Oreochromis niloticus","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7673247/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7673247/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eFour experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (46.4 to 52.7% crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.2 to 16.5 kJ g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) to test three experimental diets in which 33.3, 66.6 and 100% of fish meal was replaced with black soldier fly (\u003cem\u003eHermetia illucens, L.)\u003c/em\u003e larvae meal (BSF1, BSF2, BSF3) \u003cem\u003eversus\u003c/em\u003e a control diet (FM) containing 180 g FM/kg for feeding Nile tilapia (\u003cem\u003eOreochromis niloticus\u003c/em\u003e) juveniles (11.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2g).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fish fed with the BSF diets had significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) higher final growth performances than the fish fed the FM diet. The Apparent Digestibility Coefficient (ADC) of crude protein, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Hepatosomatic Index (HSI) as well as muscle protein and lipid composition of fish muscles were not significantly different whatever the diet.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBSF meal is a good source of protein and lipids for Nile tilapia juveniles and could successfully replace FM up to 100% in their diets with improved growth performances.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Complete replacement of fish meal by black soldier fly meal in Nile tilapia juvenile’s diet: effect on growth performances and feed efficiency","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-10-15 02:07:28","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7673247/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"5a1e411e-bc11-46a1-a89b-283189d426a9","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 15th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-13T10:40:02+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-10-15 02:07:28","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7673247","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7673247","identity":"rs-7673247","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}