Feed Supplementation of Yellow Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.) Improves Blood Characteristics and Meat Quality in Broiler

This experiment was conducted to test yellow mealworm (YM) and slough of mealworm (SM) supplementation as protein sources in broiler. Two-hundred broilers (Arbor acres, day old) were randomly assigned in five treatments (control, 0.5% YM, 1.0% YM, 2.0% YM, and 1.0% SM) with 2 replicates and then fed 6 weeks. Blood and meat samples were collected after feeding trial. Body weight gain was the highest in 1.0% YM treatment. Feed requirement was lowest in 1.0% YM treatment. There were no negative effect on palatability and texture of mealworm. Live weight and carcass weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in control. Carcass quality was highest in 1.0% YM treatment. WBC, which were related to infection, was not affected by mealworm supplementation. RBC, which were related to anemia, was significantly (P<0.05) increased in all supplementation groups. Serum components were higher in supplementation group than in control group. However, there were no pathological and metabolic disease. Crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash were high in supplementation group, and meat color a* and b* were significantly (P<0.05) high in 1.0% YM treatment. Heating loss and shear force were reduced a little. By mealworm supplementation, saturated fatty acid was reduced and unsaturated fatty acid was increased. Therefore, fatty acid composition was improved by supplementation in broiler meat. In conclusion, yellow mealworm would be a good protein source for broiler without any detrimental effect.