Growth and Safety Assessment of Feed Streams for Black Soldier Fly Larvae: A Case Study with Aquaculture Sludge

Abstract

The production of food is an intensive source of environmental impact. In aquaculture, one source of impact is solid waste, which contains high concentrations of minerals, other nutrients, and metals. The larvae of Hermetia illucens are capable of consuming this material, but applying technology that is based on these larvae for managing waste streams, like those from aquaculture, requires careful examination of safety risks. A study is performed examining the growth performance of larvae that were fed on solid aquaculture waste. Subsequently, a thorough analysis of safety risks from inorganics, with detailed the results on microelements that have previously received little attention in the literature, is performed to serve as a guideline for how to assess the safety of waste streams such as these. Findings confirm existing results in the literature that Cd is bioaccumulative, but also that other elements, including Hg, Mn, and especially K, are bioaccumulative. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research where the accumulation of Ag is also tested. The results of these tests are explained within the context of regulations in various countries where Hermetia illucens is cultivated, serving as a reference for practitioners to rigorously screen out high risk feed streams that they may consider using as feed sources. It is intended that these references and the demonstrated accumulation of a range of elements motivate comprehensive industry safety practices when evaluating new feed sources.

Gradual Provision of Live Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae to Older Laying Hens: Effect on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Feather Condition and Behavior

“…There is a growing interest in utilization of live black soldier fly larvae for feeding poultry. Literature indicates that these insects are nutritious and their farming could facilitate circular economy [20]. Moreover, these insects could also help in solving some welfare issues related to poultry farming, e.g., feather pecking [43].…”

“…This scenario indicates the urgent need to find soy meal substitute. Insects could be grown using wide range of agro-food industry by-products, serving as an important pillar of local circular economy [20]. From the outcomes of this study it is suggested that live Hermetia illucens larvae (in addition to other plant protein sources) could be successfully used for the replacement of soy in European poultry diets without detrimental effects on production performance, behavior and welfare of older layer hens.…”

“…Several companies are now engaged in the business of rearing black soldier fly larvae using food industry by-products. These insects are now being viewed as important pillars of circular economy [20]. As a result, there is a substantial interest in feeding black soldier fly larvae to laying hens and broilers [30,31,39,43].…”

“…Live insects, including black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) are already approved for poultry feeding in Europe [19]. Black soldier fly larvae have gained special status amongst insects due to their unique: (a) ability to consume a wide range of organic side streams; and (b) nutritional profile, especially the protein composition [20].…”

Current state of chitin purification and chitosan production from insects

“…75 H. illucens could be grown on a wide range of organic side streams and contributes to a circular economy. 76,77 Exoskeletons from H. illucens larvae contain up to 35% chitin, 78 which means that it is one of the main compounds that could be isolated from the byproducts of the insect farming industry. 73 Thus, chitin-rich byproducts from insect farming present a new and sustainable source of commercial chitin.…”