Effects of supplemental methionine and lysine on the nutritional value of housefly larvae meal (Musca domestica) fed to rats

The performance and blood composition of rats fed housefly larvae meal supp lemented with, or without. methionine and lysine, or fed at high concentrat ion were investigated. Rats fed supplemental methionine alone achieved high est body weight gain (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of both methionine and lysine or high dietary concentration of larvae meal depressed (P < 0.0 5) rat feed intake. The blood composition of rats was superior (P < 0.05) o n methionine-supplemented larvae meal. Additional amino acids from larvae e licited higher (P < 0.05) serum proteins, cholesterol and triglyceride; how ever, other blood biochemical profiles were lower (P < 0.05) than in the un supplemented group. In conclusion, housefly larvae meal seemed deficient in methionine and it benefited the rat tremendously to supplement with this a mino acid: however, additional lysine and high dietary inclusion of larvae meal as sole protein source appeared nutritionally inconsequential. <(c)> 2 001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.