Chemical Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of the Pectoralis major Muscle in Broiler Chickens Fed Diets with Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Insect meal (processed insect protein) can effectively cater to the growing demand for protein sources in animal diets. However, insect meals have to be thoroughly analyzed before they can be incorporated into the diets of monogastric animals (such as poultry) because animal nutrition is directly correlated with the quality (including chemical composition) of meat, which was confirmed by the present study. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal in broiler chicken nutrition. Lower dietary inclusion levels of insect meal than those analyzed in this study, and insect meal with a modified fatty acid profile should be investigated to optimize the nutritional value and health benefits of poultry meat. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal used as a substitute for 50%, 75% and 100% of soybean meal (SBM) in diets fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens on the proximate chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Pectoralis major (PM) muscle. The muscles of chickens fed HI larvae meal were characterized by a higher (p < 0.05) total concentration of pigments and lower (p < 0.05) ash content. At the lowest dietary inclusion rate (50%) of HI larvae meal, the PM muscle had a lower (p < 0.05) content of fat and collagen, compared with the remaining treatments. An analysis of the fatty acid profile of the PM muscle revealed that the total concentrations of saturated fatty acids increased (p < 0.05) and the total concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing inclusion levels of HI larvae meal. The changes in the fatty acid profile of muscles in birds receiving HI larvae meal led to a decrease in the nutritional value of fat. The present findings indicate that the ≥50% inclusion rate of full-fat HI larvae meal as a protein source alternative to SBM in broiler chicken diets is too high due to its negative effect on the fatty acid profile of meat.