Low dietary inclusion levels of Tenebrio molitor larva meal slightly modify growth performance, carcass and meat traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

BACKGROUND: Insect-derived proteins are promising, valuable and allowed ingredient for poultry feed. However, growing emphasis should be given to their effects on avian species different from chicken, as quail (Coturnix coturnix), whose rearing represents an important activity. The present paper provided novel information about the impact of graded dietary levels of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal on quails’ growth and meat quality.A total of 13,741 million tonnes of poultry meat is represented by avian species different from chicken, as quail (Coturnix coturnix). Even in this sector, the research for valuable alternatives to the conventional protein sources, mainly soybean meal (SBM) and fishmeal (FM), is going ahead. Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal is gaining interest, but the study on its effect on birds’ growth and meat quality is still scarce. RESULTS: Four diets were formulated with graded inclusion levels of TM, namely 1.65, 3.3 and 6.6 g (on 100 g feed, A partial replaceT1.65, T3.3, T6.6, respectively) to partially replace the conventional proteins of a control diet (C). ment of SBM with Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal in the diet for broiler quails (Coturnix japonica) was evaluated allotting 192 birds were allotted to one of the into 4 groups and fed for 35 days a control diet with soybean and maize meal (C) or diets in which the protein content of C was substituted at 5, 10 or 20% by TM (T5, T10, T20, respectively). The inclusion of TM meal linearly increased feed conversion ratio from 2.72 (C) to 2.96 (T20), and decreased carcass and breast weight. Texture and water holding capacity of meat were linearly reduced at the increasinge of TM, while fatty acid composition was not affected. However, the meat from quails fed TM was subjected to a higher thermal damage than the C group the cooking process had different effects on the meat from quails fed the experimental diets, hence further studies are encouraged. CONCLUSION: TM meal included at higher levels than 1.65% slightly impaired the growth performance of Japanese quails. Negligible effects on the physical properties such as colour, texture, cooking loss and also on the FA profile of the raw and cooked meat was found including TM in quails’ diet up to 3.3%.Considering all the results, broiler quails fed diets where up to 10% of conventional protein sources was replaced by TM did not show impairments in growth and meat physico-chemical characteristics.