Effects of different nitrogen sources on growth performance of insects

Abstract

The aim of this was study to examine the effects of different nitrogen sources (i.e.: micellar casein, urea, and defatted soybean meal) on growth performance of four selected insect species such as Jamaican field cricket ([JFC] Gryllus assimilis), house cricket ([HC] Acheta domesticus), yellow mealworm ([YM] Tenebrio molitor) and superworm ([SW] Zophobas morio). Six isonitrogenous feeds composed of 3.52% nitrogen (22% crude protein) with 4 replicates/group were designed: Group 1 = 100% micellar casein, Group 2 = 75% micellar casein, 25% urea; Group 3 = 50-50% micellar casein and urea, Group 4 = 25% micellar casein, 75% urea, Group 5 = 100% urea, Group 6 = 100% defatted soybean meal). Beside the nitrogen sources corn starch was added as a carbohydrate source and feeds were provided ad libitum.