NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION AND GROWTH RESPONSE OF TENEBRIO MOLITOR LARVAE FED FRUIT-WASTE BASED DIETS

Abstract

The study investigates fruit waste–based diets as alternative feed sources for Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) larvae, using nutritional composition, cost-effectiveness, and larval growth performance. Pineapple peels (PP) and watermelon rinds (WR) were processed and analyzed for nutritional composition using standard protocols. Five diets were formulated: D1 (control: 100 g wheat bran), D2 (50 g wheat bran + 50 g PP), D3 (50 g wheat bran + 50 g WR), D4 (50 g wheat bran + 25 g PP + 25 g WR), and D5 (50 g PP + 50 g WR). Each group received 100 g of feed over 90 days. PP showed higher moisture, ash, fat, and crude fiber, while WR had higher mineral and energy content. D3 had the highest energy value (2330 kcal/kg). Feed cost decreased progressively from D1 to D5 (14,000 -5760), with D5 being the most cost-effective. Larvae fed D1 showed the best growth and feed efficiency, with an average larval weight of 237.40±31.25, followed by D4 (106.47±0.95), indicating that partial substitution maintained good performance. Complete replacement reduced growth, likely due to lower protein and higher fiber content. This supports the concept of sustainable waste valorization in insect production systems.