PSXVI-16 - Standardized Total Tract Digestibility of Phosphorus in Black Soldier Fly Larvae Fed to Pigs

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus (P) in black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) larvae fed to pigs. Test ingredients were fish meal (66.2% crude protein, 9.2% ether extract, and 2.63% P), 3 sources of defatted BSF larva meal (43.1 to 59.2% crude protein, 8.6 to 13.2% ether extract, and 0.91 to 1.06% P), and a source of full-fat BSF larva (34.2% crude protein, 36.0% ether extract, and 0.70% P). Six barrows with an initial mean body weight of 78.1 kg (SD = 1.0) were individually housed in metabolism crates. Six diets were assigned to the 6 pigs in a 6 × 7 Latin square design with 7 periods resulting in 7 replicates for each treatment. Five experimental diets contained fish meal, defatted BSF larva meal, or full-fat BSF larva at 25% as the sole source of P. Additionally, a P-free diet mainly based on corn starch, sucrose, and gelatin was also prepared to estimate the basal endogenous losses of P. After a 4-day adaptation period, feces were collected for 4 days according to the marker-to-marker procedure. Apparent total tract digestibility of P in full-fat BSF larva (61.9%) was greater (P < 0.05) than that in 2 sources of defatted BSF larva meal (34.8% and 31.5%). Standardized total tract digestibility of P in full-fat BSF larva (71.8%) was greater (P < 0.05) than that in fish meal (51.0%) or 2 sources of defatted BSF larva meal (41.0% and 38.9%). The basal endogenous losses of P were estimated to be 189 ± 62 mg per kg dry matter intake. In conclusion, P in defatted BSF larva meal was less digestible compared with full-fat BSF larva.