Effect of Supplementing Lysine and Isoleucine as Limiting Amino Acids on Growth Performance and Amino Acid Deposition of Tenebrio molitor Larvae Reared on a Cereal-Based Substrate.

Abstract

The effects of Lys and Ile supplementation in a barley-based substrate on growth performance and nutrient deposition in Tenebrio molitor larvae were evaluated. Six trays per treatment containing sixty larvae were assigned to five treatments in two 21-day periods: barley (B); an 85% barley and 15% soybean meal mixture (BS) and B supplemented with synthetic Lys (BL), Ile (BI) or a combination of both (BLI), as potential limiting amino acids (AA) for larval growth. Supplementing AAs was provided in agar cubes twice per week. Larval performance was measured, and larvae were analyzed for nutrient content and AA profile. Final larval weight increased (p = 0.042) in BS and BL compared to B, with intermediate values for BI and BLI. Larval contents (mg/larva) in total AAs and seven key AAs (sum of Lys, Met, Cys, Thr, Trp, Val and Ile) were higher in BS-fed larvae than in BL and BLI, with the lowest values for BI and B (p < 0.001). Barley supplementation with Lys improved larval AA content, although the levels remained lower than those observed with BS. Conversely, Ile supplementation had no apparent effect on overall AA deposition compared to Lys alone, suggesting the presence of additional limiting AAs for optimal larval growth.