Feeding the Laying Quails with Mealworm Larvae Meal and Alterations in Egg Quality and Yolk Fatty Acid Profile

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) larvae meal in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diets on performance, egg quality, yolk color, and yolk fatty acid composition. A total of forty-eight, 14 weeks-old laying quails were used with 4 replicates in control (basal diet), mealworm larvae meal (MLM) 2% or 4 % treatment groups. Results showed that independently of inclusion level dietary MLM did not affect performance and egg quality parameters. However, color values (L*, a*, b*) of egg yolk changed with the inclusion of both levels of MLM to diet (p<0.5). Outcomes also displayed dietary MLM altered the fatty acid composition of egg yolk dependably the additional level (p<0.5). Diets containing 2 and 4 % MLM did not affect total saturated fatty acid (ƩSFA) content, however, increased total monounsaturated fatty acids (ƩMUFA) (p<0.5). Both supplemental levels of dietary MLM decreased significantly the total polyunsaturated fatty acids (ƩPUFA) of the yolk compared to the control group (p<0.5). According to outcomes of this study, MLM may use in safe as feed material instead of soybean meal at levels of 2 or 4 % without effect on performance parameters in laying quail diets.