An optimal feeding strategy for black soldier fly larvae biomass production and faecal sludge reduction

Abstract

The dual roles of efficient degradation and bioconversion of a wide range of organic wastes into valuable animal protein and organic fertiliser, has led to increased interest in black soldier fly (BSF) technology as a highly promising tool for sustainable waste management and alternative protein production. The current study investigated the potential application of BSF technology in the valorisation of faecal sludge (FS), a common organic waste in the urban informal settlements in low and middle-income countries. We evaluated the effect of different feeding rates (100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/larva/day), different feeding regimen and supplementation with other waste feedstock (food remains, FR; brewers waste, BW; and banana peelings, BP) on BSF larvae (BSFL) growth rates/yield and FS reduction efficiency. Results showed significantly (P<0.01) higher prepupal yield (179±3.3 and 190±1.2 g) and shorter larval development time (16.7 and 15 days) when reared on 200 and 250 mg/larva/day FS, respectively. However, different feeding regimes of FS did not significantly affect larval growth rate and prepupal yield (P=0.56). Supplementation of FS with other organic substrates resulted in significantly increased BSFL biomass production and substrate reduction, and shortened larval development time; with the effect was more pronounced when FS was supplemented with FR and at 30% supplementation. Protein:fat ratios for BSFL reared on FS, FS:FR, FS:BW were significantly (P<0.05) higher (2.51, 2.53, and 2.44, respectively) compared to FS:BP mixture (1.99). These results demonstrated that supplementation of FS with locally available organic waste can be used to improve its suitability as feedstock for BSF production and organic waste bioremediation from the environment. In conclusion, a daily feeding strategy of substrate containing FS supplemented with 30% organic waste co-substrate at feeding rate of 200 mg/larva/day can be used as a guideline for BSFL mass production and bioremediation of FS both at small- and large-scale level.

Feeding strategies for small-scale rearing black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as organic waste recycler

“…Similar results were observed by Nana et al [32], who argued that BSF larvae have preference for fresh diet as compared with rotten diet. Other authors also demonstrate that most organic wastes lose their nutritional value over time due to the action of microorganisms [31,44]. This could explain the difference observed between the larval biomass from continuous and batch feeding diets.…”

“…Various studies have investigated into the effects of different organic waste streams on laboratory-reared BSF [28][29][30], as well as the influence of animal manure or food waste on the development and survival of BSF larvae using experimental prepared diets [8,28]. Other studies have investigated the potential of BSF larvae to recycle these organic wastes into useful products [31][32][33]. However, most of these studies focus on the waste stream-based diets and lack information on the effects of feeding strategy.…”

Effects of Bacterial Supplementation on Black Soldier Fly Growth and Development at Benchtop and Industrial Scale

“…As the BSFL prepares for pupation, it moves into the prepupal stage. In this stage, larvae stop feeding and their integument begins to harden and darken (Lalander et al, 2019;Nyakeri et al, 2019). Their digestive system empties and they exhibit a crawl-off behavior as they seek out a safe place away from the feeding substrate where they can pupate (Dortmans et al, 2017).…”

The Effect of Giving Maggot Mix Flour (Hermetia Illuciens Linnaeus) on Commercial Feed on Growth Weight Mice (Mus Musculus)

“…Making maggot flour began with selecting a maggot ready to harvest or is 20 to 25 days old because the maggot was an adult [13]. Maggot was cleaned.…”