Potential use of Tenebrio molitor L. to promote sustainable livestock farming

Resumen

Objective: to analyze the available information about the potential of Tenebrio molitor for feeding livestock species.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: we searched for scientific information available in national and international databases with the search criteria "sustainable livestock", "climate change", "animal nutrition alternatives", "Tenebrio molitor", "nutritional properties of Tenebrio molitor", "Tenebrio molitor meal", "consumption of Tenebrio molitor", "weight gain of cattle fed with Tenebrio molitor", "weight gain of poultry fed with Tenebrio molitor" and "use of Tenebrio molitor in livestock" both in English and Spanish.

Results: Tenebrio molitor larvae meal has a high content of crude protein and essential amino acids, which makes it an ideal supplement for monogastric livestock species; especially, broiler chickens.

Limitations/ Implications of the study: studies reported on monogastric livestock species in tropical conditions are scarce, unlike it occurs with similar studies in ruminants.

Findings/ Conclusions: the species Tenebrio molitor presents an option for protein supplementation of livestock. It stimulates consumption and feed conversion in broiler chickens. It is advisable to promote research with this supplement in cattle and other ruminants.