Sensory attributes and meat quality of broiler chickens fed with mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

The influence of mealworm (MW) as a dietary protein source on the quality and sensory characteristics of the broiler meat was evaluated. 400 day-old male broilers were randomly distributed into 4 groups using a completely randomized design. Each group was replicated 5 times with 20 birds per replicate. Dietary feeds were included 4 levels of MW (0, 1, 2, and 3%) and fed from 1 to 24 days of age. Chickens took a normal diet (without MW) from 25 to 42 days of age. On days 24 and 42, four birds from each replicate were slaughtered and eviscerated. Sensory attributes were carried out on raw carcass and cooked breast meat using a quantitative descriptive analysis method. Proximate analysis, Water Holding Capacity (WHC), pH, Total Volatile Base Nitrogen (TVB-N), and texture analysis were also done on chicken breast meat. On day 24, significant differences were observed between control and birds fed with MW in terms of fat, ash, pH, TVB-N, WHC, and lightness of carcass. The highest TVB-N (35.50 ml/100 g N), and the lowest WHC (71.60%) were observed in bird received 3% MW. The control had better sensory attributes than those fed with MW in terms of skin color, meat color, abdominal cavity odor, and texture. On day 42, no significant difference was observed in sensory attributes of carcass and chicken meat except for juiciness. Dietary inclusion of MW up to 3% may be appropriate and sensory attributes and meat quality of broilers may adversely be influenced in higher levels.