Exploring Arthropods as Sustainable Protein Source and the Effect of Cockroach Meal Supplemented Diet on the Growth of Fish

This comprehensive study centres on exploring the arthropods as sustainable protein sources, addressing both human dietary needs and livestock feed requirements. A diverse set of twenty arthropod species were collected from different locations of Kanyakumari District and the species were identified based on the identification keys pertaining to morphological characters. The surveyed animals comprises of Insects: Dragon Fly (Pantala sp.), Western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes sp.), Longhorn beetle (Callipogon sp.), Asiatic rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros), Brown grasshopper (Melanoplus sp.), Bush cricket (Tettigonia sp.), Grasshopper (Diabolocatantops sp.), Housefly (Musca domestica), Cockroach (Periplaneta americana), Termite (Macrotermes sp.), Black carpenter ant (Camponotus sp.), Red carpenter ant (Camponotus sp.); Crabs: Mottled light footed crab (Grapsus albolineatus), Sartoriana sp., Asian paddle crab (Charybdis sp.,),Box crab (Calappa sp.,), Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsus sp.); Millipedes: Yellow spotted millipede (Harpaphe haydeniana), Pill millipede (Arthrosphaera disticta) and African giant millipede (Thyropygus descriptus) were analyzed for the protein content. The samples were tested for protein using Biuret’s method. Among the different arthropods tested insects- Callipogon sp. and Periplaneta americana, crabs - Calappa sp. and Charybdis sp. and Myriapod - Harpaphe haydeniana, exhibited the highest protein content. Crustaceans demonstrated the highest protein content when compared to insects and millipedes. However, since cockroaches are generally considered as a pest and repugnant in human dwelling, it would be ideal to convert cockroach as a sustainable protein source in aquaculture. Moreover. since cockroach showed a higher protein content of 6.146 2.024 mg/ml it was tried as a supplement feed for fish. Cockroach meal was prepared in two different proportions (2% and 3%) to evaluate its impact on the growth of Koi carp fish in comparison with cockroach free meal as control. The inclusion of 3% cockroach powder in the fish meal augmented the growth of Koi carp when compared to the control during a fifteen-day study period. Thus, this study has tapped a potential protein source from insects. Cockroach can be used as an ideal fish feed as it contributes to the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally friendly animal feed source.