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Home » Archive » 2023 » Veterinary Session

Veterinary session

Effects of varying dietary protein level on the growth and life span of house cricket
Nahaji Péter - year 6
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Department Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Laboratory Animal Science
Supervisors: Dr. Nikoletta Hetényi, Dr. András Bersényi

Abstract:

Nowadays, increasing attention is being paid to alternative protein sources such as insect protein. In the European Union, insect-based foods belong to the "novel food" category, and their use for feeding purposes also has an ever-expanding legal framework. For economical production optimal nutrition according to age and species should be applied.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary protein levels on the growth and survival of house crickets (Acheta domesticus). Three experimental groups were made (n=120/group) with four replicates (A, B, C, and D; n=30/replicate) which received diets containing 15-20-25% crude protein (ingredients: corn starch, defatted soybean meal, sunflower oil). Two experiments were conducted (Experiment I and II) in which only the age of the crickets differed, the diets were the same. Experiment I was 9 weeks long and started with size “1” crickets (2-3 mm) and Experiment II was 6 weeks long and started with size “3” crickets (6-8 mm). The weight and survival of crickets were measured weekly.

In both experiments, the final mean individual body weight and survival rate did not differ significantly. In Experiment I the highest mean individual body weight (0.1673±0.0492 g vs. 0.0904±0.0458 g [15% protein] and 0.0874±0.0412 g [25% protein]) was measured in the 20% protein group and the survival rates were 12.5%-20.0%-20.0% (15-20-25% protein). In Experiment II the mean individual body weight of crickets increased with the higher dietary protein level (0.1337±0.0359 g, 0.1742±0.0327 g and 0.1990±0.0325 g), but the survival rate was the highest (20.8%) in the 15% protein group (12.5%-20% protein; 14.2%-25% protein). Sexual maturity of one male and one female was reached in the 5th week (25% protein), and then two other females reached maturity in the 6th week (15% and 25% protein).

The low (15%) protein diet resulted in low body weight in both experiments thus it is not recommended. Based on the results of Experiment II, age of maturity, and body weight the 25% dietary protein level is the most adequate. Mortality was very high during the experiments, which requires further investigation.



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