Nutritional Value and Antioxidant Potential of Silkworm Pupae and Soybean in Broiler Diets
Keywords:
alternative protein sources, antioxidant properties, chemical composition, insect-based feed, ω3 fatty acidsAbstract
Efforts to reduce dependence on soy-based feed ingredients have increased the search for sustainable protein sources for poultry nutrition. Silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae, a byproduct of sericulture, represent a promising alternative due to their high nutritional value. This study compared whole-fat silkworm pupae and whole-fat soybeans in terms of chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant status as a preliminary assessment of their potential use in broiler diets. On a dry matter basis, silkworm pupae contained higher crude protein (53.5% vs. 39.2%) and crude fat (25.8% vs. 20.1%) than soybean, whereas soybean showed higher ash (5.5% vs. 4.3%) and crude fibre (5.8% vs. 3.3%). Silkworm pupae also exhibited a more favourable fatty acid profile, with higher α-linolenic acid (30.46% vs. 5.37%) and total ω3 fatty acids (30.53% vs. 5.39%), resulting in a markedly lower ω6/ω3 ratio (0.19 vs. 9.53) (P < 0.001). Soybean contained higher linoleic acid, ω6 fatty acids, and total PUFA (P < 0.001). Water-soluble antioxidant capacity was higher in silkworm pupae, while other antioxidant parameters did not differ. Overall, silkworm pupae show strong potential as a sustainable alternative feed ingredient for broiler nutrition.
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