LAUSR

BACKGROUND Insect-derived proteins are promising, valuable and allowed ingredient for poultry feed. However, growing emphasis should be given to their effects on avian species different from chicken, as quail (Coturnix coturnix), whose rearing represents an important activity. The present paper provides novel information about the impact of graded dietary levels of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal on quails' growth and meat quality. RESULTS Four diets were formulated with graded inclusion levels of TM, namely 1.65, 3.3 and 6.6 g on 100 g feed (T1.65, T3.3, T6.6, respectively) to partially replace the conventional proteins of a control diet (C). A total of 192 birds were allotted to one of the groups and fed for 35 days. The inclusion of TM meal linearly increased feed conversion ratio, and decreased carcass and breast weight. Texture and water holding capacity of meat were linearly reduced increasing TM in diet, while fatty acid composition was not affected. However, the meat from quails fed diets including TM was subjected to a higher thermal damage than the C group, hence further studies are encouraged. CONCLUSION TM meal included at higher levels than 1.65% slightly impaired the growth performance of Japanese quails. Negligible effects on the physical properties such as colour, texture, cooking loss and also on the FA profile of the raw and cooked meat was found including TM in quails' diet up to 3.3%. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.