NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF HOUSEFLY LARVAE MEAL: A SUSTAINABLE PROTEIN SOURCE FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTION – A REVIEW

Abstract

The United Nations reported that, human population will increase from 7.3 billion to 9.7 billion by 2050, indicating an urgent need to increase food production. Livestock and fish products provide food of high nutritional value but nutrition has been a major constraint affecting the productivity of animals in Nigeria. Feeds alone accounts for 70 to 75 % of the total cost of animal production. Therefore the need to find alternative good quality and sustainable protein source that can replace or substitute current protein sources used in animal nutrition. Such an alternative protein source can be provided by insects. Among insects, common housefly (Musca domestica) larvae are particularly promising because they can be produced cheaply and rapidly on organic waste materials thereby converting low value waste into a high value product. Housefly larvae have the potential as a sustainable future protein source for diets of production animals (poultry, fish, and pigs). It has good nutritional value, cheaper and less tedious to produce than other animal protein sources. The dry matter and crude protein contents of housefly larvae meal (HFLM) ranged between 83.47 and 94.79 %, and 28.63 and 63.99 %, respectively. While crude fibre, ether extract and ash ranged between 3.14 and 9.95 %, 14.08 and 37.78 % and 4.50 and 10.68 %, respectively. Housefly larvae meal has a well-balanced essential amino acid profile, similar to the amino acids of fishmeal, and can thus provide high-value feedstuff. A good knowledge of the nutrient composition of HFLM with regards to its protein and amino acid contents will equip diet formulators with more definite data for correct placement and replacement of feed ingredients in ration formulation. Therefore, the use of HFLM as alternative to the expensive protein sources will help reduce the cost of production and boost livestock and fish productivity in Nigeria.