Full-fatted Hermetia illucens larva as a protein alternative: effects on weaning pig growth performance, gut health, and antioxidant status under poor sanitary conditions

ABSTRACT We investigated the effectiveness of full-fatted black soldier fly larvae (BSF) supplementation on growth performance, gut health, and antioxidant capacity of weaned pigs under poor sanitation. Eighty 28-d-old piglets were divided into four groups (five replicates of four pigs each): control group comprising pigs under hygienic conditions without BSF addition (PC); control group comprising pigs under poor sanitary conditions without BSF addition (NC); and BSF6 and BSF12 groups comprising pigs supplemented 6% and 12% BSF, respectively. Pigs were fed the diets in two feeding programs: Phase I (1–14 d) and II (15–28 d) containing 3,300 and 3,265 kcal/kg of metabolisable energy and 22.5% and 21.5% of crude protein, respectively. Compared to the NC, the BSF6 and BSF12 increased body weight and average daily feed intake in Phase II (P < 0.05). The BSF exhibited greater nutrient digestibility, immunoglobulin A and glutathione peroxidase levels, cecum weights, duodenal villus height, duodenal villus-to-crypt depth ratio, and caecal Lactobacillus spp. (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the BSF6 and BSF12 showed significantly decreased diarrheal rate, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, small intestine weight, caecal pH, and duodenal crypt depth unlike the NC (P < 0.05). The BSF12 had lower malondialdehyde concentration and Escherichia coli than the NC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 12% BSF improved growth performance and nutrient utilisation, thereby reducing gut inflammation and modulating antioxidant capacity in post-weaning piglets.