- Livestock
Livestock nutrition
Components that support piglet health and efficient farming
Umami Boost is a functional feed component developed to support piglet health. It enhances feed intake, immunity, digestibility and growth rate in piglets, improving economic performance while maintaining cost-efficiency.
Benefits
Higher feed intake
In farm tests, we observed up to 37% higher feed intake compared to the control group. This is the result of natural palatability and umami taste, which help piglets transition to solid feed.
Faster weight gain
Better digestibility and higher intake, driven by Umami Boost, lead to higher weight gains, even up to 17% more during the rearing period.
Lower mortality
Umami Boost helped reduce mortality in test groups by up to 50%, significantly improving rearing safety and outcomes.
Fewer digestive issues and better adaptation post-weaning
Thanks to its natural taste and lauric acid content, Umami Boost supports gut development and reduces the risk of post-weaning diarrhea.
Increased intestinal surface area
Piglets fed with Umami Boost showed increased number and length of intestinal villi (up to +24%), which improves nutrient absorption.
Higher nutrient digestibility
Umami Boost improves both intestinal and total digestibility, including for protein and fat, which supports rearing efficiency and nutrient balance in the formula.
Improved blood biochemistry
In groups receiving Umami Boost, levels of ALP, ALT, urea and creatinine were reduced – indicating an improvement in metabolic status and a reduction in liver load.
Comprehensive “all-in-one” effect
Replaces multiple additives (plasma, probiotics, enzymes, aromas), helping to reduce costs and simplify dosing.
For livestock feed producers
Umami Boost
A functional feed additive that, thanks to its natural sensory properties, enhances feed palatability, while the presence of bioactive compounds improves rearing performance and reduces mortality.
Learn more
HiProOil
HiProOil is a high-quality insect fat, offering a unique source of lauric acid and beneficial fatty acids. It supports immunity, metabolism, and digestive health in animals.
Learn more
Umami Boost – an innovative functional feed component supporting piglet growth in harmony with nature
Umami Boost is an innovative feed component for piglets, based on Hermetia illucens larvae – a natural source of protein, fat and functional compounds such as lauric acid, chitin and antimicrobial peptides. Insects are an instinctive part of the diet of omnivorous animals like pigs, which makes Umami Boost a natural fit for their nutritional needs. It supports immunity, gut health and metabolism, while improving palatability and feed intake. Farm tests confirmed: higher weight gains, better digestibility, lower mortality and fewer post-weaning diarrhoea cases. It is an effective and safe solution for optimising piglet nutrition.
Dr Katarzyna Chilomer - Drzazga
“In his work, Dinas demonstrated that piglets fed a diet including our component showed greater palatability, immunity, and gut health, which directly translates into better production results and lower mortality.”
FAQ
Yes, producers of feeds and pet food containing insects – including Hermetia illucens – are subject to the same legal obligations as any other entity operating in the food or feed sector. They are required to ensure the safety of products placed on the market. This means complying with general hygiene and safety standards at each stage of production, in line with Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 on feed hygiene.
Hermetia illucens larvae dominate insect-based feed production. Their uniqueness lies in their rapid growth and rich chemical composition. Products derived from Hermetia are exceptionally well studied – as confirmed by numerous scientific publications across various animal species. Other insects that may be used in animal feed include: the housefly (Musca domestica), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), house cricket (Acheta domesticus), banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), Jamaican field cricket (Gryllus assimilis), and silkworm (Bombyx mori).
Insect-based feed materials are rich in nutrients essential for proper functioning and overall health of animals. What sets them apart from conventional ingredients is their unique fatty acid profile – especially the high content of lauric acid, which naturally supports immunity, along with the presence of antimicrobial peptides. They also contain calcium and phosphorus in highly bioavailable forms.
Yes, insect protein can be used in feeds for fish, poultry, pigs, and companion animals – as permitted under Regulation (EU) 2017/893. The law requires that insects be raised on safe substrates, and that the processed protein meets specific microbiological and chemical standards.
From a biochemical perspective, any protein has the potential to trigger allergies. However, insect protein carries a lower risk than commonly used animal- or plant-based proteins. Because of this lower risk, insect protein is often used as an alternative for animals with allergies or food intolerances.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, wish to learn more about our offerings, or would like to understand the value our products can bring to your business, please get in touch.
Head of Customer Service
Adriana Sękowska