FITBASS

FIT-BASS – Insect-based feed formulation for trout in Aquaculture ponds in BAcini Smart and influences the health and quality of its meat

 

Lead/Project Leader: Agrigeos srl

Partner: University of Messina, University of Trento, Smartme.io srl, Institute of Experimental Zoology of Sicily

Consulting/Subcontractor: Agroittica siciliana, BEF Biosystems, Sparos

 

Start date/Start date: 01/05/2024                                    End date/End date: 15/10/2025

 

Abstract:

ITA

FIT-BASS intends to define a feeding formula based on black soldier fly with a high nutritional value and health benefits for the trout reared in smart fish farms.

ENG

FIT-BASS aims to define a feed formulation based on black soldier fly with a high nutritional and health value for largemouth bass in aquaculture smart ponds.

 

Objectives/Objectives

ITA

The objectives of the project:

– Formulation of an innovative feed based on insect flour;

– Improvement in the health status of farmed trout fed with the innovative feed;

– Development of a smart device for the feeding of fish;

– Increase in environmental sustainability through the development of aquaculture;

– Boosting aquaculture in Sicily

 

ENG
The objectives of the project:

– Formulation of an innovative feed based on insect flour;

– Improvement of the health status of aquaculture largemouth bass fed with the innovative feed;

– Development of a smart device for feeding fish;

– Increasing environmental sustainability through aquaculture development;

– Boosting aquaculture in Sicily

 

Contacts

 Scientific Manager: Giuseppe Forte, Email: forte@agrigeos.com

Project Manager: Turi Timpanaro, Email: timpanaro@agrigeos.com

Preliminary results

Tables of chemical analyses performed on larvae of black soldier fly reared on IV-grade vegetable waste

The inclusion of flour of Hermetia illucens in the diet of Micropterus salmoides It has not affected the structural organization and integrity of the intestinal epithelium, maintaining unchanged the functionality of the mucosa and the ability to absorb nutrients as evidenced by the tables and images below:

The absence of relevant pathogenic microorganisms for food safety and the microbiological profiles of soldier fly larva flour, as reported in the table below, indicate that the’The use of BSF larvae represents a valid alternative protein source and is microbiologically safe for the production of fish feed.

Microorganism	Farina BSF	Feed BSF	Control feed	Commercial feed
Samonella Spp.	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent
L. monocytogenes/ Listeria spp.	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent
Escherichia coli STEC	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent
Vibrio cholerae/ Vibrio parahaemolyticus	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent
Clostridium perfringens	<1 Log ufc/g	<1 Log ufc/g	<1 Log ufc/g	<1 Log ufc/g
Enterobacteriaceae	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g
E. coli	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g
Enterococcus spp	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g	< 1 Log ufc/g