Black soldier fly larvae as a sustainable animal feed ingredient in Kenya

The main use of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) is currently as an animal feed ingredient. While the bacterial community of the larvae has been characterised repeatedly via sequencing, microbiological safety assessment based on culture-dependent techniques is still scarce. This study focused on the occurrence of the spore-forming foodborne pathogen Clostridium perfringens during rearing and consecutive processing of the larvae, based on observations in a single rearing facility. C. perfringens vegetative cells and spores were determined, in addition to total viable counts, total aerobic spore counts and intrinsic parameters including pH, water activity and moisture content. All samples were obtained from an industrial production plant. In a preliminary experiment, substrate ingredients and dried larvae were analysed, but the larvae were produced with a previous batch of the substrate mixture. A second, more detailed, experiment was performed where all samples were collected sequentially from the same production run (substrate ingredients, substrate mixture, starting larvae, harvested larvae, residue, dried larvae and stored dried larvae). In the two experiments, (presumptive) C. perfringens, as determined on tryptose sulphite cycloserine agar, was found at low numbers in the ingredients and in the second experiment it was also found in the substrate mixture. Over the two experiments, total C. perfringens counts (i.e. vegetative cells plus spores) ranged between 3.0±0.1 and <1.2±0.5 log cfu/g and C. perfringens spores ranged between 2.5±0.1 and <1.0±0.0 log cfu/g. Interestingly, vegetative cells and spores of C. perfringens were below the detection limit in all larvae samples. Therefore, it appears that at this production site and based on the samples investigated, the pathogen did not colonise the larvae. However, these results indicate that insect producers should monitor this pathogen among others, and install good hygiene practices to avoid contamination.

Download Full-text

Enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids in black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) fortified with squid liver oil

Journal of Insects as Food and Feed ◽

10.3920/jiff2021.0030 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

G. Tirtawijaya ◽

J.-S. Choi

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Control Group ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Black Soldier Fly ◽

Hermetia Illucens ◽

Growth Increase ◽

Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽

Fly Larvae

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) are known as an alternative feed for livestock, but their lack of polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) makes it less valuable. To overcome these problems, BSFL substrate (chicken feed) was fortified with squid liver oil (SLO) at five different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20%). The growth rate, feed conversion, and nutritional content of BSFL were evaluated at day 15 of rearing. Of the five concentrations, SLO 5% showed the highest growth increase (25.82-fold) among the other treatments (20.63-22.98-fold; P<0.05). The fortification of SLO 5% did not result in differences in survival and feed conversion of larvae compared to larvae fed the control substrate. By rearing BSFL in a substrate containing SLO 5%, the lipid content of the larvae was 32% higher than that of larvae fed the control substrate (P<0.05). The accumulation of lipids was faster in the substrate containing SLO 5% (33.20% for 8 days) than in the control substrate (24.36% for 15 days). The control group of BSFL contained no DHA or EPA, but after rearing on the SLO 5% fortified substrate, the larvae contained DHA at an average level of 2.99 g/100 g lipid and EPA was 2.68 g/100 g lipid. Harvested larvae from SLO 5% treatment was within safe levels of Pb, Cd, As, and Hg (840, 370, 860, and 26.7 μg/kg, respectively), under the EU threshold for animal feed. Based on our results, it concluded that BSFL enriched with PUFAs, DHA and EPA can be considered as important nutritional components of animal feed without excessive heavy metals accumulation by feeding SLO in an appropriate amount.

Download Full-text

Comparison of nutritive value between intact and defatted black soldier fly larvae for animal feed

IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering ◽

10.1088/1757-899x/546/4/042024 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 546 ◽

pp. 042024

Author(s):

Randi Mulianda ◽

Muhammad Ridla ◽

E B Laconi ◽

Roni Ridwan ◽

Anuraga Jayanegara

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Black Soldier Fly ◽

Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽

Fly Larvae

Download Full-text

An Automated Incubator for Rearing Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.14623 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 (6) ◽

pp. 1989-1997

Author(s):

Patrick Erbland ◽

Andrei Alyokhin ◽

Michael Peterson

Keyword(s):

Animal Feed ◽

Agricultural Wastes ◽

List Type ◽

Black Soldier Fly ◽

Hermetia Illucens ◽

Metabolic Heat ◽

Incubation System ◽

Biological Conversion ◽

Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽

Fly Larvae

HighlightsBlack soldier fly larvae can be used to convert agricultural wastes into animal feed.A prototype automated incubation system for producing black soldier fly larvae was designed and tested.The system was successful in growing larvae to a harvestable size.The system retained metabolic heat generated by larval and microbial activity.Abstract. Biological conversion of agricultural wastes into animal feed ingredients using larvae of black soldier fly, (Hermetia illucens) is a promising technology that improves the sustainability of agriculture. We designed and tested a prototype automated incubation system for producing black soldier fly larvae. The system consisted of six 50 L plastic bins enclosed on a ventilated metal rack (178 cm high, 66 cm wide). Water was supplied to maintain a moisture level of about 60% in each bin via soaker hoses connected to sensor-activated solenoid valves. The system was successful in maintaining moisture and temperature suitable for larval development and for growing larvae to harvestable size with minimal labor and energy consumption. Biological activity in the bins generated a considerable amount of metabolic heat, most of which was trapped in the substrate in each bin. This heat may be valuable for rearing black soldier fly larvae in areas with cool climates because this species has low tolerance of cold temperatures but challenging in areas with warm climates. Keywords: Biological conversion, Black soldier fly, Metabolic heat generation, Waste management.

Download Full-text

Using organic wastes as feed substrate for black soldier fly larvae

Journal of Insects as Food and Feed ◽

10.3920/jiff2021.0047 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

J.W. Msangi ◽

C.K. Mweresa ◽

M.F.O. Ndong’a

Keyword(s):

Organic Waste ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Reduction Rate ◽

Organic Wastes ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Larval Weight ◽

Black Soldier Fly ◽

Potato Peels ◽

Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽

Fly Larvae

Feeding black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on locally available organic wastes has the potential of providing an alternative source of protein to fishmeal and soybean used in animal feed formulation. This can also mitigate against increasing accumulation of organic wastes and reduce high costs associated with their disposal. This study assessed the effects of three locally available organic waste substrates namely Irish potato peels, kale remains and bovine ruminal content versus chick mash as a positive control on larval weight gain, prepupal yield, substrate reduction rate, bioconversion rate and conversion ratio of BSFL. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether organic feed substrates had significant effects on BSFL while Tukey HSD, post-hoc test was applied for multiple comparisons and mean separation at P<0.05. Organic waste feed substrates influenced larval weight gain and prepupal yield (P<0.01), biomass reduction rate (P=0.04), bioconversion rate (P=0.01) and conversion ratio (P=0.04) of BSFL produced. Kale remains performed better than Irish potato peels and bovine ruminal contents implying that they can be enriched to provide an alternative feed for BSFL instead of chick mash. This study demonstrated that the three locally available organic waste substrates can be used to feed BSFL for sustainable production of animal feed. Black soldier fly larvae have the potential of providing a viable solution for degradation and disposal of ever-increasing quantities of organic wastes in the markets, towns and cities of sub-Saharan Africa.

Download Full-text

BIOCONVERSION OF MUNICIPAL ORGANIC WASTE USING BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE INTO COMPOST AND LIQUID ORGANIC FERTILIZER

Konversi ◽

10.20527/k.v9i2.9176 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Abdul Kahar ◽

Muhammad Busyairi ◽

Sariyadi Sariyadi ◽

Agus Hermanto ◽

Ari Ristanti

Keyword(s):

Organic Waste ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Ash Content ◽

Added Value ◽

Black Soldier Fly ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽

Fly Larvae

Bioconversion of municipal organic waste using Black Soldier Fly larvae provides potential benefits. Apart from reducing municipal solid waste, BSF larvae (maggot) offer valuable added value as animal feed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the potential of BSF larvae in the bioconversion process of municipal organic waste, to analyze the quality of the compost produced and to analyze the nutrition content of BSF larvae (maggot). BSF eggs in hatching are covered with gauze which are given organic waste feed, then after hatching they become BSF larvae transferred to enlargement media. BSF larvae are fed leftovers that enter the TPST, so that the enlargement medium is wet. Feeding leftovers from TPST is done every day. The rearing time for BSF larvae is for one life cycle. Maggot harvesting is carried out at the age of the larva about 2-3 weeks. The final products of organic waste bioconversion are BSF larvae (maggot), compost and POC. It was found that the BSF larvae (maggot) could reduce organic waste (municipal organic waste) by 47.75%. Where the ability of BSF larvae (maggot) to consume municipal organic waste is 26,1508 g waste / g maggot. The protein, crude fat and ash content in maggots which were given organic waste were 41.8%, 14.63% 9.12%, respectively.

Download Full-text

A Molecular Survey of Bacterial Species in the Guts of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) Reared on Two Urban Organic Waste Streams in Kenya

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.687103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Marwa Shumo ◽

Fathiya M. Khamis ◽

Fidelis Levi Ombura ◽

Chrysantus M. Tanga ◽

Komi K. M. Fiaboe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Feed ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Black Soldier Fly ◽

Dependent Sequence ◽

Alternative Protein ◽

Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽

Fly Larvae ◽

Rdna Amplification ◽

Culture Dependent

Globally, the expansion of livestock and fisheries production is severely constrained due to the increasing costs and ecological footprint of feed constituents. The utilization of black soldier fly (BSF) as an alternative protein ingredient to fishmeal and soybean in animal feed has been widely documented. The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) used are known to voraciously feed and grow in contaminated organic wastes. Thus, several concerns about their safety for inclusion into animal feed remain largely unaddressed. This study evaluated both culture-dependent sequence-based and 16S rDNA amplification analysis to isolate and identify bacterial species associated with BSFL fed on chicken manure (CM) and kitchen waste (KW). The bacteria species from the CM and KW were also isolated and investigated. Results from the culture-dependent isolation strategies revealed that Providencia sp. was the most dominant bacterial species detected from the guts of BSFL reared on CM and KW. Morganella sp. and Brevibacterium sp. were detected in CM, while Staphylococcus sp. and Bordetella sp. were specific to KW. However, metagenomic studies showed that Providencia and Bordetella were the dominant genera observed in BSFL gut and processed waste substrates. Pseudomonas and Comamonas were recorded in the raw waste substrates. The diversity of bacterial genera recorded from the fresh rearing substrates was significantly higher compared to the diversity observed in the gut of the BSFL and BSF frass (leftovers of the rearing substrates). These findings demonstrate that the presence and abundance of microbiota in BSFL and their associated waste vary considerably. However, the presence of clinically pathogenic strains of bacteria in the gut of BSFL fed both substrates highlight the biosafety risk of potential vertical transmission that might occur, if appropriate pre-and-postharvest measures are not enforced.

Download Full-text