Efficacy Extract and Hydrolysate Protein from Brown Cricket (Gryllus assimilis) as an Antibiotic for Improving Performance of Quails

¹ Doctoral Program of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science, Brawijaya University
² Faculty of Animal Science, Brawijaya University, Malang 65145, Indonesia

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global issue, necessitating the restriction of antibiotic use and the identification of safer alternatives. Insect extracts and hydrolysates are known to contain many bioactive peptides with antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antiprotozoal properties. This study aimed to determine the influence of extracts and hydrolysate proteins from brown crickets (Gryllus assimilis) on the antibiotic production performance of quails. A total of 400 female quails aged 6 weeks were reared, fed, watered, and vaccinated according to the recommendations in colony cages for 60 days. The quails were separated into four treatment groups with five replicates each, each containing 20 quails. T0 = basal feed, T1 = basal feed with antibiotic 50 mg/kg, T2 = basal feed with insect extract 10 ml/kg, and T3 = basal feed with insect hydrolysate protein 10 ml/kg. The extracts and hydrolysate proteins were administered via feed. The variables measured were productivity (feed consumption, egg weight, and feed conversion). The results of this study indicated a significant effect on egg weight (p<0.05), although there was no significant effect on feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. In conclusion, insect hydrolysate protein can be utilized as a feed additive and as an alternative to antibiotics.