Effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae oil feed inclusion on growth performance and fecal microbiome development in post-weaning pigs
Buffoni, Matteo Viveen, Marco de Visser, J Arjan GM Mughini-Gras, Lapo Willems, Rob JL Schürch, Anita C Kers, Jannigje G
Buffoni, Matteo
Viveen, Marco
de Visser, J Arjan GM
Mughini-Gras, Lapo
Willems, Rob JL
Schürch, Anita C
Kers, Jannigje G
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Article
Language
en
Date of publication
2025-09-05
Year of publication
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae oil feed inclusion on growth performance and fecal microbiome development in post-weaning pigs
Translated Title
Published in
Livest Sci 2025; 301:105819
Abstract
Post-weaning (PW) is a stressful period in the early life of growing pigs. Changes in diet may cause a shift in microbiome composition of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), with potential effects on piglet health. Here, we evaluate the effect of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) oil, as a sustainable nutrient source, on growth performance and fecal microbiome composition in PW pigs. Two trials were conducted, with Trial 1 including 60 piglets, of which 40 were sampled for microbiome analysis, and Trial 2 involving 160 piglets, of which 122 were sampled. All piglets were approximately 21 days old, Topigs/Pietrain crossbreed, weighed over 5 kg, and both trials lasted 39 days post-weaning. To assess the impact of BSFL oil blend on microbiome composition, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed on fecal samples collected on day 11 and 26 in Trial 1, and day 11 and 42 in Trial 2. No direct effects of BSFL oil blend implementation were observed on pig general performance in terms of body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G). Moreover, no difference in microbiome development was observed with BSFL oil blend relative to soy and palm kernel oil. These results indicate that BSFL oil is a valid alternative nutrient source for weaned pigs, as both performance and microbiome are unaffected.