An open system for farming black soldier fly larvae as a source of proteins for smallscale poultry and fish production

Abstract

The utilisation of insect as ingredients for animal feeds has gained considerable interest recently. For example, the potential of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) larvae as a cheap alternative protein source for animal feeds seems to show promising perspectives, especially for poultry and aquaculture feeds. In the present study, we sought to establish the wild availability of BSF in Bondo area of Western Kenya, and to develop appropriate methods for larvae farming for utilisation in smallholder farming systems using organic waste substrates. Using an open system involving a larvae feeding structure, study results showed that BSF is native to the study area with higher production observed on substrates of plant origin compared to those of animal origin. Proximate, mineral and vitamin analysis showed that wild BSF larvae contained: 40% crude protein, 33% crude fat, 15% ash, 12% crude fibre, 0.56% manganese, 3.07% sodium, 0.57% iron, 2.27% potassium, 0.24 mg/100 g thiamin, 2.2 mg/100 g riboflavin and 1.3 mg/100 g vitamin E. This nutritional profile of the wild BSF larvae indicates its potential to serve as a cheap and sustainable substitute protein source. We therefore recommend small-scale poultry and fish farmers to adopt the identified methods for its cultivation as a way of lowering production costs and also contributing to environmental hygiene and sanitation.

Effect of protein and carbohydrate feed concentrations on the growth and composition of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

“…Interestingly, the ash concentration throughout the sampling period was very stable, at around 9.2% and increased to 11% at the pre-pupal stage. These numbers are comparable to the study executed by Liu et al (2017), but lower than in other studies, which found 15-16.6% of ash (Newton et al (2005); Nyakeri et al (2017); St-Hilaire et al (2007). Again, this might be due to the difference in feeding substrate of the black soldier fly larvae: both Newton et al (2005) and St-Hilaire et al (2007) used manure to rear black soldier fly larvae, and Nyakeri et al (2017) used fruit and vegetable waste, whereas in our experiment larvae were fed chickenfeed.…”

“…These numbers are comparable to the study executed by Liu et al (2017), but lower than in other studies, which found 15-16.6% of ash (Newton et al (2005); Nyakeri et al (2017); St-Hilaire et al (2007). Again, this might be due to the difference in feeding substrate of the black soldier fly larvae: both Newton et al (2005) and St-Hilaire et al (2007) used manure to rear black soldier fly larvae, and Nyakeri et al (2017) used fruit and vegetable waste, whereas in our experiment larvae were fed chickenfeed. The control substrate from Tschirner and Simon (2015), containing a wide spectrum of cereal leftovers such as broken pellets, spilled grains and grinding dust, would be most comparable to the chickenfeed diet that was used.…”

“…The results for late-instar larvae are supported by the literature. These previous studies found protein concentrations such as 30.46-33.32% (original numbers were converted with protein factor 4.76 instead of 6.25)., and fat percentages of 30-35% (Liu et al, 2017;Newton et al, 2005;Nyakeri et al, 2017;Sheppard et al, 1994;St-Hilaire et al, 2007;Tschirner and Simon, 2015). Interestingly, the ash concentration throughout the sampling period was very stable, at around 9.2% and increased to 11% at the pre-pupal stage.…”

“…Although, this is not a good comparison due to the difference in instar that was weighed, it does further highlight the importance of understanding the impact of different amino acid profiles as larval growth in insects is affected by the variation in amino acids (Davis, 1975). A number of studies suggest that black soldier fly larvae do not grow as well on animal-based protein as they would on plant-based protein (Cammack and Tomberlin, 2017;Gobbi et al, 2013;Nguyen et al, 2015;Nguyen et al, 2013;Nyakeri et al, 2017). However, this is still an under-studied area as the whey protein used in this study would qualify as an animal protein and it is thought that not all plant-based feeds provide enough protein.…”

Technical Feasibility of Hermetia illucens in Integrated Waste Management, Renovated with Sewage Water, an Overview

“…Not only this, pronto the black soldier fly larvae have been acclaimed as the most apposite alternative to the costlier commercial animal protein sources. Nyakeri et al [18] has re- was reported in another successive study conducted by Sara et al [19], who worked on the protein synthesis aspect and concluded that the protein extractability of larval flour fraction segregated was around 36% crude protein and 60%…”