Substantiation and prospects of using insects as a source of protein in fish feeds (a review)

Purpose. Analysis of the prospects and experience of using insects as an alternative source of animal protein in aquaculture. Scientific and practical substantiation of the introduction of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) into fish feeds. Evaluation of the effeciency of the use of insect protein in solving the issues of sustainable development of aquaculture. Findings. World resources and trends in the use of animal protein in feed production have been characterized. The biological and functional characteristics, as well as the quality and safety of animal protein have been analyzed. Insect protein is considered a non-traditional feed component for Ukrainian aquaculture. It should be noted that the use of insect protein in feeding different fish species requires special approaches, in accordance with the biological needs of their body and the stage of ontogenesis. Also, the efficiency of the use of insect protein in fish feeds depends on the methodological approaches of its introduction, the amount of use, as well as the feed component replaced in the basic diet. On the example of the results of scientific studies on the introduction of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) in fish feeds, promising directions and methods of using this insect species have been identified. The positive effect of experimental feeding on productive parameters, feed conversion, quality and safety of farmed fish products have been noted. The limiting factors for increasing insect protein production in accordance with technological parameters and biological characteristics have been analyzed in detail. It is noted that the industrial production of insects can be a solution to the problem of processing industrial and organic waste as a result of their use for nutrition. The feasibility and prospects of using insect protein in aquaculture in Ukraine have been outlined. The authors have analyzed modern sources of professional scientific literature in accordance with the study of the state and prospects of using traditional and non-traditional sources of animal protein in fish feeds. Using the example of the black soldier fly, the authors characterize the efficiency of the use of insect protein in aquaculture, its biological characteristics and technological parameters of production. Practical value. The literature review covers modern approaches and prospects for optimizing aquaculture. It can be used by fish farming specialists for scientific studies and practical experimental developments.