In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feeding

Recently, insects have received increased attention as feed sources for sustainable animal production. Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, TM) represents one of the most promising insect species to be used for such a purpose. Although rapid development of the use of insects as feed is expected, TM re...

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Main Authors: Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo, Navid Ghavipanje, Lizbeth E. Robles Jimenez, Eduardo Cardoso-Gutiérrez, José Manuel Pino Moreno, Manuela Renna, Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025000568
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author Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo
Navid Ghavipanje
Lizbeth E. Robles Jimenez
Eduardo Cardoso-Gutiérrez
José Manuel Pino Moreno
Manuela Renna
Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
author_facet Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo
Navid Ghavipanje
Lizbeth E. Robles Jimenez
Eduardo Cardoso-Gutiérrez
José Manuel Pino Moreno
Manuela Renna
Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
author_sort Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo
collection DOAJ
description Recently, insects have received increased attention as feed sources for sustainable animal production. Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, TM) represents one of the most promising insect species to be used for such a purpose. Although rapid development of the use of insects as feed is expected, TM remains underutilized in ruminant nutrition. The use of natural tannin sources provides a promising prospect to improve the digestibility of insect protein sources. Hence, the present study determined the in vitro rumen fermentation patterns, dry matter disappearance (DMd) and total gas production of full-fat TM larvae meal and a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana pods, AF) when combined at different inclusion levels [TM:AF equal to 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20, and 100:0, on a dry matter (DM) basis] to form six different diets. Three Suffolk–Texel ewes [79.9 ± 10.12 kg body weight; mean ± standard deviation] with a rumen fistula were used as rumen fluid donors. Four incubation runs were carried out. The obtained data were statistically analyzed in a completely randomized design. Our results showed that 24-h gas production was enhanced with increasing inclusion levels of AF (p < 0.0001). The highest DMd (p < 0.0001) and microbial biomass production (p < 0.0001) were observed when incubating the 60TM:40AF diet. Increasing dietary TM levels were associated with an increase (p = 0.001) in N-NH3 concentrations, and a reduction (p = 0.001) in CH4 production. Overall, the best TM:AF mixture in terms of rumen gas kinetics and fermentation profile was the 60TM:40AF mixture. Further in vitro and in vivo trials should be conducted to explore the potentially desirable effects of tannins on the digestibility of TM protein and methane emissions mitigation.
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spelling doaj-art-7a2ccb5c6d794f888f1687b01e8d2b512025-08-20T02:04:11ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-02-01114e4167610.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41676In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feedingManuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo0Navid Ghavipanje1Lizbeth E. Robles Jimenez2Eduardo Cardoso-Gutiérrez3José Manuel Pino Moreno4Manuela Renna5Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez6Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Instituto Literario 100, Toluca, Estado de México, 50000, Mexico; Corresponding author. Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Instituto Literario 100, Toluca, Estado de México, 50000, Mexico.Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand 97175-331, IranUniversidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Instituto Literario 100, Toluca, Estado de México, 50000, MexicoUniversidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Instituto Literario 100, Toluca, Estado de México, 50000, MexicoInstitute of Biology, National Autonomous University of México, Department of Zoology, Entomology Laboratory, 04510, México City, MexicoDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), ItalyDepartment of International Development, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, P.O. Box 237, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6EU, UK; Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua 31453, Mexico; Corresponding author. Department of International Development, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, P.O. Box 237, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6EU, UK.Recently, insects have received increased attention as feed sources for sustainable animal production. Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, TM) represents one of the most promising insect species to be used for such a purpose. Although rapid development of the use of insects as feed is expected, TM remains underutilized in ruminant nutrition. The use of natural tannin sources provides a promising prospect to improve the digestibility of insect protein sources. Hence, the present study determined the in vitro rumen fermentation patterns, dry matter disappearance (DMd) and total gas production of full-fat TM larvae meal and a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana pods, AF) when combined at different inclusion levels [TM:AF equal to 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20, and 100:0, on a dry matter (DM) basis] to form six different diets. Three Suffolk–Texel ewes [79.9 ± 10.12 kg body weight; mean ± standard deviation] with a rumen fistula were used as rumen fluid donors. Four incubation runs were carried out. The obtained data were statistically analyzed in a completely randomized design. Our results showed that 24-h gas production was enhanced with increasing inclusion levels of AF (p < 0.0001). The highest DMd (p < 0.0001) and microbial biomass production (p < 0.0001) were observed when incubating the 60TM:40AF diet. Increasing dietary TM levels were associated with an increase (p = 0.001) in N-NH3 concentrations, and a reduction (p = 0.001) in CH4 production. Overall, the best TM:AF mixture in terms of rumen gas kinetics and fermentation profile was the 60TM:40AF mixture. Further in vitro and in vivo trials should be conducted to explore the potentially desirable effects of tannins on the digestibility of TM protein and methane emissions mitigation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025000568Insect mealLivestock production sustainabilityOvis ariesPhenolsRumen fermentationYellow mealworm
spellingShingle Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo
Navid Ghavipanje
Lizbeth E. Robles Jimenez
Eduardo Cardoso-Gutiérrez
José Manuel Pino Moreno
Manuela Renna
Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feeding
Heliyon
Insect meal
Livestock production sustainability
Ovis aries
Phenols
Rumen fermentation
Yellow mealworm
title In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feeding
title_full In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feeding
title_fullStr In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feeding
title_full_unstemmed In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feeding
title_short In vitro assessment of dietary mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) combined with a natural source of tannins (Acacia farnesiana L.) for sheep feeding
title_sort in vitro assessment of dietary mealworm tenebrio molitor l combined with a natural source of tannins acacia farnesiana l for sheep feeding
topic Insect meal
Livestock production sustainability
Ovis aries
Phenols
Rumen fermentation
Yellow mealworm
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025000568
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