Optimization of the growth and nutritional quality of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) using the protein content of the medium

This study aims to examine the performance and nutritional quality of lesser mealworms (Alphitobius diaperinus) reared with different protein levels in the culture medium. The research method used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments involved providing different protein levels in the culture medium: A (13%), B (15%), C (17%), and D (19%). The variables observed were larval consumption (g/500 g medium), larval production (g/500 g medium), larval body weight gain (g/500 g medium), chitin content (%), crude protein (%DM), nitrogen retention (%), crude fat (%DM), crude fat digestibility (%), and metabolizable energy (kcal/kg) of lesser mealworms. The result of this study showed that differences in protein levels in the culture medium had a very significant effect (P < 0.01) on larval consumption, larval production, larval body weight gain, chitin content, crude protein, nitrogen retention, crude fat, crude fat digestibility, and metabolizable energy of lesser mealworms. This study concluded that 19% protein culture medium was the optimal treatment for lesser mealworm rearing, yielding larval consumption of 181.87 g/500 g medium, larval production of 122.52 g/ 500 g medium, larval body weight gain of 107.51 g/500 g medium, chitin content of 21.17%, crude protein of 46.77% (DM), crude fat of 25.69% (DM), nitrogen retention of 78.72%, crude fat digestibility of 79.55%, and metabolizable energy of 2994.25 kcal/kg. The findings indicate that smaller mealworms hold considerable potential as an alternative source of animal protein for poultry feed.