Silken feed

Silk industry wastes containing large quantities of waste pupae can be used as poultry feed, according to researchers of the Department of Chemistry, Cotton College, Guwahati. The scientists have shown that waste muga (a wild silk obtained from the cocoon of an Assamese moth) pupae in dry form is rich in animal protein.

A mixture prepared from raw muga pupae and its deoiled form compares well with conventional fish meal as a rich source of protein. It is found to significantly increase the growth rate of chicken, which also retained more nitrogen compared to those fed on fish meal. (PTI Science Service)