Pengaruh Fortifikasi Biji Bunga Matahari (Helianthus annuus) dan Vitamin C pada Daun Ketela Pohon (Manihot esculenta) terhadap Performansi Ulat Sutra Eri (Samia ricini) serta Pemanfaatannya sebagai Book Chapter

Abstract

Feed fortification using protein and vitamin C has the potential to improve nutritional quality and enhance the performance of eri silkworms (Samia ricini). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cassava leaf (Manihot esculenta) fortification using sunflower seeds and vitamin C on the growth and development performance of eri silkworms. The study was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments: control, P1 (1% sunflower seeds + 0.25 g vitamin C), P2 (2% sunflower seeds + 0.5 g vitamin C), and P3 (3% sunflower seeds + 0.75 g vitamin C), with three replications. Growth parameters observed included cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, shell ratio, and wingspan, while development parameters included egg-to-imago developmental time, imago lifespan, mortality, fecundity, and hatchability. The data were analyzed using univariate ANOVA followed by Duncan’s post hoc test, while non-normally distributed data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by pairwise comparisons. The results showed that cassava leaf fortification with sunflower seeds and vitamin C significantly affected the performance of eri silkworms. The most effective treatment was P3 (3% sunflower seeds and 0.75 g vitamin C), which produced an average cocoon weight of 1.813 ± 0.075 g, cocoon shell weight of 0.346 ± 0.039 g, shell ratio of 19.04 ± 1.66%, wingspan of 12.08 ± 0.50 cm, eggto-imago developmental time of 46.60 ± 0.62 days, imago lifespan of 5.00 ± 0.00 days, zero mortality, fecundity of 330.00 ± 28.75 eggs, and hatchability of 91.27 ± 6.98%. The performance improvement was associated with the role of sunflower seed protein as a source of amino acids supporting tissue growth and silk protein synthesis, while vitamin C functioned as a coenzyme in amino acid metabolism and as an antioxidant that enhanced protein utilization efficiency and physiological stability during cocoon formation.