Lactobacillus-Enriched Zophobas morio Larvae Impact Performance, Digestibility, Immunity and Economics in Broilers

The search for safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production has intensified due to growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance and food safety. Postbiotics, derived from beneficial microorganisms, have emerged as promising candidates to enhance broiler health and performance. We evaluated the effects of Zophobas morio-based postbiotics on broiler chickens' growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunity, intestinal health, and economic viability. Z. morio larvae were cultured with Lactobacillus acidophilus (3 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) in wheat bran to produce postbiotics. We used a total of 350 Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated into five groups, with one control group and four treatment groups supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% or 0.8% Z. morio-based postbiotics. Treated groups exhibited significantly improved weight gain, nutrient digestibility, and apparent metabolisable energy compared to the control group. The microbial count of L. acidophilus increased significantly (p < 0.05), while pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli decreased, particularly in the 0.8% postbiotic group. Intestinal morphology, including villus length and width and crypt depth, improved in postbiotic-supplemented groups. Additionally, carcass yield and economic returns were higher in the 0.8% treatment group. Immune responses were enhanced, with higher antibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND) at 0.6% and 0.8% inclusion levels. The study concluded that Z. morio-based postbiotics at the level of 0.8% positively influenced broiler growth performance by enhancing nutrient absorption, boosting immunity, and reducing pathogenic bacteria.