Antibacterial substances: silkworm pupa antibacterial substances can be added to animal feed, which will reduce the use of antibiotics

In recent years, studies on the agricultural improvement farm in Miaoli District (hereinafter referred to as Miaoli Farm) have found that the antibacterial substances produced by cicada pupae can be further developed into functional animal feed additives. it is estimated that this will effectively reduce the amount of antibiotics added in economic animal rearing, which will have considerable development potential in the future animal health market, and create new business opportunities for the sericulture industry.

Induce the production of antibacterial substances, which can effectively inhibit Staphylococcus aureus

The principle of this study is that the silkworm has a special non-specific immune response, in the face of survival crisis, the body will independently produce a number of antibacterial substances, in order to resist the invasion of foreign microorganisms and avoid death. In view of this, the seedling chestnut farm found a way to produce a high amount of antibacterial substances in the silkworm pupa stage from a variety of ways to stimulate the production of antibacterial substances in silkworm pupae. It was found that this antibacterial substance could inhibit the reproduction of harmful Staphylococcus aureus.

Today, sericulture can not only make silk, but also through new technology research, so that silkworm chrysalis can also give play to other values and further create new business opportunities in the industry. (photo courtesy of Miaoli District Agricultural improvement Farm)

Natural antibacterial, enhance value, create new business opportunities in the industry

Lu Xiuying, director of the Miao Chestnut Farm, said that in the past, sericulture was mainly reeling silk, and silkworm pupae could only be regarded as a by-product of sericulture industry. The purpose of using silkworm pupa as functional animal feed additive is to improve the utilization value of silkworm, because the silkworm itself is rich in high-quality protein and lipid, which is a good source of nutrition. If we can make good use of the characteristics of insects to produce antibacterial substances and reduce the damage of animals by harmful microorganisms, it can be described as "one and two consideration".

Mulberry leaves used in sericulture are healthy and safe because they cannot use pesticides and have no doubts about pesticide and heavy metal residues. In addition, the antibacterial substance is produced naturally without the hidden worries of genetic modification and ecological pollution. This study not only improves the safety of meat products, but also creates new uses and business opportunities for sericulture.

Synchronously reduce the use of antibiotics and improve meat safety

Miaoli Farm also points out that antibiotics are often used in the process of raising economic animals, mainly to reduce the illness and death of animals. However, abuse leads to drug resistance of harmful microorganisms in animals, which not only does not promote animal health, but also causes residual antibiotics in meat, which brings hidden worries to the health of consumers. Since 2006, the European Union has banned the addition of antibiotics to animal feed, and in recent years, Taiwan has gradually moved towards reducing the amount of antibiotics in order to improve meat quality and food safety.