Effect of different probiotics on the efficiency of food conversion in silkworms

Nutrition plays an important role in improving the growth and development of silkworm Bombyx mori. Silk production is mainly dependent on larval growth and nutritive value of mulberry leaves. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of application of various food probiotics on bnutritional efficiency of Silk work Bombyx mori. Previous studies showed some promising results in increasing cocoon quality parameters with certain microorganisms such as Spirulina and Saccharomyces cerevisiae etc. Experiments were carried out to determine the feed efficacy of silkworm Bombyx mori (V instar larvae) fed mulberry (Morus alba) leaves and four different probiotics such as Blue green algae Spirulina, Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus supergenes. Physiological parameters like food consumption (FC), food utilization (FU), Coefficient of food utilization, Food consumption index (FCI) were calculated. Data was collected and subjected to the statistical analysis. The results showed that blue green algae Spirulina and Saccharomyces cerevisiae had better efficiency of food conversion when compared to Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus supergenes.