Innovafeed, Onda trials show insect-based feed supports salmon growth and health

FRANCE – Innovafeed and Onda have reported positive results from joint trials evaluating insect-based ingredients in salmon feed, with early findings indicating both antibacterial activity and strong growth performance in Atlantic salmon.

The trials, conducted at Onda’s aquaculture research facilities in Prince Edward Island, assessed the use of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal as both a functional and nutritional ingredient in aquafeed.

The work reflects growing industry interest in alternative proteins that can improve feed efficiency while reducing reliance on conventional inputs such as fishmeal and soy.

Initial in-vitro analysis demonstrated antibacterial activity linked to Innovafeed’s BSFL-based ingredient, Hilucia™ for Aqua.

The study showed growth inhibition against key gram-negative pathogens relevant to aquaculture, including Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Vibrio anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae, all of which are associated with disease outbreaks in farmed fish.

Researchers attribute this effect to antimicrobial peptides naturally produced by black soldier fly larvae, which interact with microbial cell membranes and can inhibit or eliminate harmful bacteria.

The findings are significant as the aquaculture sector faces increasing pressure to reduce antibiotic use while maintaining fish health and productivity.

Growth performance and feed efficiency gains

In a separate 84-day feeding trial, BSFL meal was tested in grower Atlantic salmon diets to evaluate performance outcomes.

Fish fed diets containing the ingredient grew from approximately 300g to 800g, achieving a 100% survival rate over the trial period.

The study also recorded increased feed intake and improved feed efficiency, with a clear dose-response relationship linked to the inclusion level of the insect-based ingredient.

These results indicate that BSFL meal can support both growth performance and feed conversion in commercial aquaculture systems.

The trial further included a seawater stress test to assess fish resilience during a critical production phase, with additional results still under analysis.

This aligns with broader efforts to evaluate not only the nutritional value of alternative proteins, but also their functional benefits under real production conditions.

Industry interest in insect-based ingredients continues to grow as producers seek sustainable, scalable protein sources that can support performance while addressing environmental and regulatory pressures.

In aquaculture, where feed represents a major cost and sustainability challenge, functional ingredients that enhance health and efficiency are gaining traction.

The collaboration between Innovafeed and Onda forms part of ongoing research to validate insect-derived inputs across species and production systems.

Further in-vivo trials are planned to assess long-term impacts on fish health, disease resistance and commercial viability, as feed producers increasingly explore alternative proteins to strengthen supply resilience and sustainability.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.