MEALWORM (TENEBRIO MOLITOR) AS AN ECO-FRIENDLY FEED SOURCE TO IMPROVE BONE HEALTH AND AMINO ACID COMPOSITION IN LABEO ROHITA FINGERLINGS

Abstract

Aquaculture industry is still searching a way to find an alternative to conventional fishmeal as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative. This study offers an inquiry into the dietary supplement of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as an alternative sustainable source of protein in the diet of Labeo rohita fingerlings considering their mineralization of bones and amino acids. The five experimental diets were prepared by adding mealworm meal at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100 percent inclusion levels and were tested for eight weeks. After the end of experiment, analysis of fish bone samples was done for calcium, iron and phosphorus content. Moreover, amino acids analysis were conducted using high performance liquid chromatography for all dietary groups. Results of this study indicated significant benefits in bone mineralization of rohu by using mealworms in feed. It was observed that calcium was highest at the inclusion level of 25% with the phosphorus being significantly elevated at the inclusion rates of 50% and 75% which implied a synergistic effect that was beneficial in terms of bone formation in rohu.  Iron (Fe) intake was more evident at 75% and 100% inclusion levels, and this meant a better bioavailability. Amino acids analysis showed that the higher the mealworm in the diets showed the more positive outcome on both essential and non-essential amino acids. The 75% inclusion produced ideal levels of essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine that are important in fish. However, 100% replacement resulted in a small decreasing impact on some of the amino acids suggesting that there is an optimum limit for mealworm dietary inclusion and fish meal replacement in rohu. Therefore, a sustainable alternative to fishmeal in L. rohita diet is mealworm that is a eco-friendly as well improves the fish composition. It provides health benefits by strengthening the bones, amino acids composition, and overall fish quality of this commercial and indigenous fish, besides environmental and economic solutions in aquaculture industry.