Aquaculture research firm Onda and insect ingredient producer Innovafeed have reported positive preliminary results from trials evaluating black soldier fly larvae meal in Atlantic salmon diets.
The trials were conducted at Onda’s aquaculture research facilities in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and assessed the performance and functional properties of Innovafeed’s insect-based ingredient Hilucia for Aqua.
Laboratory tests showed antibacterial activity associated with the hydrosoluble fraction of the larvae meal against several pathogens relevant to aquaculture, including Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Vibrio anguillarum, and Photobacterium damselae.
A separate 84-day feeding trial in grower Atlantic salmon reported increased feed intake and improved growth performance when the insect ingredient was included in the diet. Fish in the trial grew from approximately 300 grams to around 800 grams, with survival reported at 100 percent.
The trial also included a seawater stress test to assess resilience during a key production stage. Further analysis of those results is ongoing.
Onda and Innovafeed said additional trials, including in-vivo studies, are planned to further evaluate the use of insect-derived ingredients in commercial aquaculture feeds.
