Our study investigates the substitution of fishmeal with a novel protein source derived from lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) larva meal (LMW) in the diets of aquaculture-emerging fish - European perch (Perca fluviatilis ).
Four diets were formulated, in which fishmeal at 21% inclusion level from the control diet was replaced by LMW at 25%, 50%, and 75% and fed to European perch juveniles for 84 days.
Analysis of post-trial serum biochemistry revealed that none of the 11 parameters investigated were affected by dietary LMW. Nevertheless, a significant difference emerged at the 24 h post-trial for phosphate, total protein, albumin, globulin, and alanine aminotransferase. Dietary LMW had a positive impact on the growth performance of European perch, as evidenced by a positive linear model with specific growth rate and survival rate.
Examination of liver lesion severity demonstrated that fish fed the LMW75 diet exhibited less severe liver lesions than those on the control diet.
Overall, this study underscores the suitability of LMW as a protein source in the diet for European perch, positively affecting growth performance, health status, sensory attributes of fillets, and environmental impact indicators. Nonetheless, careful attention should be given to the nutritional profile, particularly essential fatty acids in fish fillets.