Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina platensis and Azolla caroliniana as Sustainable Protein Sources For Feeding Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

Document Type : Original Article

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Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt

Abstract

Good nutrient additives for silkworms constitute a key part of the good quality and quantity of silk produced. By increasing silk output, sericulture can become more economically sustainable. This study delved into the potential of unconventional and sustainable protein sources such as Chlorella, Spirulina and Azolla as supplementary feed for mulberry silkworm. Our findings indicate that all additives positively influenced increased the efficiency of larvae and moth growth and productivity, improved the production of silk and other biological and economic characteristics of Bombyx mori L.. However, Chlorella proved to be the most effective, significantly boosting silk gland weight, shell weigh, raw silk and the amount of fibroin in the cocoons, which are very important economic factors in silk production. Supplementing mulberry leaves with sustainable protein sources such as algae or fern is the most promising techniques to increase the economic value of cocoons and improve the production of silk without much investment.

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