Mineral and Heavy Metal Content of African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Fed with Combination of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens L.) and Commercial Feed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The aim of this research was to investigate the mineral and heavy metal contents in field trials of catfish fed with the combination of commercial feed and BSFL meal of different proportions. Group A were fed with 100% commercial feed, group B 60% commercial feed and 40% black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), group C; 55% commercial feed and 45% BSFL, and group D 50% commercial feed and 50% BSFL. Mg, Ca, Na, and Cu were highest in group D in comparison to the control group A, and the other experimental groups B and C; while the control group A, recorded the highest mineral contents in K, Fe, and Zn. Heavy metal contents for Pb, Cd, Co, Hg, and As were all below the equipment detection limit being all below 0.01 mg/100g. It is therefore recommended that BSFL of up to 50% inclusion combined with commercial feed is free of heavy metals and contamination free.