Feeding laying hens with insect meal affects the production traits and some quality parameters of table eggs

A feeding trial was carried out with Tetra SL laying hens to evaluate the effects of an insect larvae meal on the production traits and egg quality parameters. Alphitobius diaperinus larvae meal (ADM) was incorporated at 10% (ADM10) and 15% (ADM15) into layer diets on the expense of soybean meal and the production traits and egg quality parameters, have been evaluated. Among the production traits only egg weight was affected by dietary treatments. Both ADM diets decreased egg weight in comparison with the control diet. Besides egg weight, none of the other egg quality parameters were affected. ADM failed to modify the fat content of egg yolk but resulted significant changes in the fatty acid composition of the yolk fat. Feeding ADM increased the lauric, stearic and linoleic acid and decreased the oleic and α-linolenic acid concentrations of the yolk. The results of the electronic nose proved that ADM resulted in specific volatile compound structure, that can be used for the identification of the insect meal eggs. Among the identified compounds ADM reduced the intensity of dimethyl sulphide, ethyl acetate and acetaldehyde in comparison with the control eggs. The tasting and organoleptic evaluation of boiled eggs by the volunteers resulted higher quality scores and acceptance of the ADM eggs. From the results it can be concluded that insect meals can be used efficiently even at high incorporation rates in layer diets. The reason for the egg weight reduction, however, needs further investigation. • Alphitobius diaperinus larvae meal is an alternative protein source for laying hens • The linoleic acid content of the Alphitobius diaperinus larvae meal is lower than that of vegetable oils, that could be a limiting factor • Feeding insect meal results in different volatile compound structure in the egg • Alphitobius diaperinus larvae meal improves the quality evaluation scores and the overall acceptance of the eggs