IMPACT OF ANALYTICAL METHOD ON THE in vitro DIGESTIBILITY OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY MEAL (Hermetia illucens)

Resumo

The use of Black Soldier Fly Meal (BSFM) as a protein source in animal nutrition has increased in recent years. In vitro assays provide a rapid and strategic approach for evaluating the nutritional quality of feed ingredients. However, the diversity of available methodologies complicates the selection of the appropriate protocol. This study aimed to assess the influence of two laboratory devices—a circulating water bath and an orbital shaker—on the in vitro protein digestibility of defatted BSFM (BSFMd) and poultry viscera meal (PVM), using a modified gastric digestion protocol for pet food. Samples were incubated with a 0.02% pepsin–acid solution for 2 h at 39 °C, followed by digestion with pancreatin for 4 h at 39 °C and pH 6.8, under either equipment. BSFMd (54.6% crude protein) exhibited the highest digestibility (96.4%) when processed in a circulating water bath. In contrast, PVM (59.8% crude protein) showed low digestibility in both systems (30.35% and 30.00%, respectively). Compared to the modified AOAC method (73.14%), the current approach was effective for BSFMd, however, the shorter digestion time may limit its applicability to PVM. The protein source and heat transfer method significantly affected in vitro digestibility. BSFMd demonstrated high digestibility and suitability for rapid evaluation using simplified in vitro methods. These findings support the potential of BSFMd as a sustainable and digestible protein source for animal feed and highlight the need for specific methodologies based on the physicochemical properties of each ingredient.