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Evaluation of rapeseed cake as a protein substitute in the feed of edible crickets: A case study using Gryllus
Petra Škvorová1, Martin Kulma2, Matěj Božik3
1Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha - Suchdol, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
This paper aimed to investigate the optimization of Gryllus assimilis farming production by examining the effects of replacing soybean meal with rapeseed cake (25-100%) and supplementing it with rapeseed oil. The results reveal no adverse effects of soybean meal replacement on the feed conversion ratio and weight of the harvested crickets. However, incorporating larger quantities of rapeseed cake into the diet increased crude protein and decreased fat content. Moreover, the composition of fatty acids varied significantly, with increased levels of oleic acid and decreased levels of palmitic acid, while a high rapeseed cake content led to a decrease in the atherogenic and thrombogenic index values. The amino acid composition remained unaffected. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that rapeseed cake can serve as a viable substitute for soybean meal in the diet of Gryllus assimilis.
