Inclusion of Tenebrio molitor meal in diets for free-range hens does not affect egg sensory quality

Remon, S. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Fondevila, G. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Fondevila, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The incorporation of insect-derived products into poultry diets has received increasing attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources. This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal and vegetable oil with whole Tenebrio molitor larvae meal on egg quality and sensory attributes in free-range laying hens. A total of 110 Lohmann Brown hens housed in 10 pens were assigned to two dietary treatments for 16 weeks: a control diet based on cereals, soybean meal, and sunflower oil, or an experimental diet in which T. molitor meal was included at 80 g/kg, partially replacing soybean meal and vegetable oil. Egg quality parameters, including Haugh units, yolk colour and the incidence of blood spots in the yolk and meat stains in albumen, were assessed at the end of the experimental period. Sensory evaluation was performed by 57 untrained panellists using the discriminative triangle test methodology (ISO 4120:2021) to assess whether there were noticeable sensory differences between the eggs from the two experimental groups. No significant differences were detected between treatments in yolk colour, blood spots, or meat stains, although Haugh units tended to be lower in eggs from hens fed the T. molitorr diet compared with the control. Results from the sensory analysis indicated that panellists could not reliably distinguish between eggs from the two experimental groups. In conclusion, the partial substitution of soybean meal and vegetable oil with wholole T. molitor larvae meal did not negatively affect egg quality or sensory attributes. These findings support the potential use of insect meals as sustainable feed ingredients in laying hen nutrition without compromising consumer acceptance.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1163/23524588-bja10346

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Journal of insects as food and feed (2025), [6 pp.]
ISSN: 2352-4588

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Producción Animal (Dpto. Produc.Animal Cienc.Ali.)
Área (Departamento): Área Tecnología de Alimentos (Dpto. Produc.Animal Cienc.Ali.)