Growth efficiency, intestinal biology, and nutrient utilization and requirements of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae compared to monogastric livestock species: a review

Seyedalmoosavi, M.M.; Mielenz, M.; Veldkamp, T.; Daş, Gürbüz; Metges, C. C.

doi:10.1186/s40104-022-00682-7

Cited by 47 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 167 publications

(266 reference statements)

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“…For instance, the feed conversion rate (FCR) of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor, FCR of 3.8-5.8) is higher than for black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, FCR of 1.4-2.6) and can be similar to that of pigs (FCR of 3.1); hence, mealworms are not as efficient in converting feed into body weight compared to black soldier fly larvae. In addition, the energy expenditure for mealworm production could be higher than that of milk or chicken if produced in cold regions [2][3][4]. However, when a full life cycle assessment analysis is performed, mealworm production is a more sustainable alternative protein source than milk, chicken, pork, and beef since it uses less land and produces fewer greenhouse gases [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, from a nutritional standpoint, mealworms contain high-quality components, e.g., around 17% of proteins and n-3 fatty acids [2,6,7]. Several micronutrients in mealworms, such as iron, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc, make the inclusion of insects in the human diet a strategy to tackle common micronutrient deficiencies [2][3][4][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Consumers’ acceptance toward whole and processed mealworms: A cross-country study in Belgium, China, Italy, Mexico, and the US

et al. 2023

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The interest in edible insects as food is growing, both in traditional and non-traditional insect-eating countries given their advantages in terms of sustainability and nutritional content. However, only a few studies have conducted cross-country investigations on the acceptance of including processed or whole insects in the diet. Thus, this study aimed to examine to which extent consumers were accepting (i) whole and visible mealworms, (ii) processed mealworms in their diet and (iii) to explore the factors affecting the acceptance level of consuming mealworms in countries with and without entomophagy tradition. An online survey was applied to collect responses (3,006) from five countries–i.e., Belgium, China, Italy, Mexico, and the US–using a quota sampling method. Moreover, an information treatment was included with about half of the participants receiving information about the advantages of edible insects as food (ingredient) and the presence of food safety regulations. Across countries, gender was the main factor affecting acceptance level as men accepted mealworms more than women. Entomophagy tradition mainly explained the differences among countries. Countries with entomophagy traditions (Mexico and China) showed higher acceptance of including whole or processed mealworms in the diet compared to countries with no entomophagy traditions (i.e., Belgium, Italy, and the US). While information and age did affect differently the acceptance of including processed mealworms in countries with entomophagy traditions showing that consumer acceptance was affected by information in Mexico and by age in China. Whereas it was found that younger people (below 42 years old) in countries without entomophagy tradition were more open to accepting processed mealworms in their diet. Moreover, across countries, the acceptance of including processed mealworms was higher compared to whole mealworms. These findings provide insights into which consumer segments to target and the potential impact of information when introducing new insect-based foods in countries with and without entomophagy traditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumers’ acceptance toward whole and processed mealworms: A cross-country study in Belgium, China, Italy, Mexico, and the US

et al. 2023

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“…Objective function during FBA maximization consequently was set to biomass growth reaction. The second set of experiments involved the use of FVA analysis preserving 90% of maximal DW biomassspecific growth rate per day as described by (60) for fatty acid (C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2) synthesis rate modeling under doubled glucose uptake conditions. Dietary carbon conversion efficiency was afterwards estimated using Formula 1 and both states (reference and doubled glucose uptake) (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To assess differences in resource allocation mechanisms within the Hermetia_01 metabolic network of BSF larvae based on the given diet, we performed several in-silico experiments utilizing flux variability (FVA) (59) analysis provided by the Cobra Toolbox software. The FVA method calculates maximal and minimal biochemical network reaction rate values for each reaction in a metabolic network while maintaining (in our case) 90% of the maximal biomass-specific growth rate per day as described by (60).…”

Section: Metabolic Flux Potential As Predicted By Flux Variability An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic modeling ofHermetia illucenslarvae resource allocation for high-value fatty acid production

Grausa

Siddiqui

Lameyer

et al. 2022

Preprint

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All plant and animal kingdom organisms use highly connected biochemical networks to facilitate sustaining, proliferation and growth functions. While biochemical network details are well known, the understanding of intense regulation principles is still limited. We chose to investigate Hermetia illucens fly at the larval stage as it is crucial for successful resource accumulation and allocation for the consequential organism's developmental stages. We combined the iterative wet lab experiments and innovative metabolic modeling design approaches, to simulate and explain the H. illucens larval stage resource allocation processes and biotechnology potential. We performed time-based growth and high-value chemical compound accumulation wet lab chemical analysis experiments in larvae and Gainesville diet composition. To predict diet-based alterations on fatty acid allocation potential, we built and validated the first H. illucens medium-size stoichiometric metabolic model. Using optimization methods like Flux balance and Flux variability analysis on the novel insect metabolic model, it predicted that doubled essential amino acid consumption increased the growth rate by 32%, but pure glucose consumption had no positive impact on growth. In the case of doubled pure valine consumption, the model predicted a 2% higher growth rate. In this study, we describe a new framework to research the impact of dietary alterations on the metabolism of multi-cellular organisms at different developmental stages for improved, sustainable and directed high-value chemicals.

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“…In order to alleviate the disturbance of gut microbiota, this study introduced black soldier fly oil as a dietary additive. According to reports, the crude fat content of black soldier fly larvae is 15–49%, and its body is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( Seyedalmoosavi et al, 2022 ). It contains a similar level of unsaturated fatty acids as fish oil and can be used as an additive in poultry diets ( Liew et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiome analysis reveals the effects of black soldier fly oil on gut microbiota in pigeon

et al. 2022

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The gut microbiota plays a vital roles in poultry physiology, immunity and metabolism. Black soldier fly oil is known to have a positive effect on the gut microbiota. However, the specific effect of black soldier fly oil on the composition and structure of the gut microbiota of the pigeon is unknown. In this experiment, 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was performed to study the effect of different doses of black soldier fly oil on the changes of pigeon intestinal microbes. Results indicated that the different doses of black soldier fly oil had no effect on the gut microbial diversity of the pigeon. Although the dominant phyla (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria) and genus (uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae and Desulfovibrio) in control group and experimental group with different doses were the same, the abundances of some beneficial bacteria (Megasphaera, Intestinimonas, Prevotella_9, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001, Faecalibacterium, Coprococcus_2, Parabacteroides, Megasphaera, Leuconostoc, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Lactococcus, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and Coprococcus_2) increased significantly as the concentration of black soldier fly oil increased. Taken together, this study indicated that black soldier fly oil supplementation could improve gut microbial composition and structure by increasing the proportions of beneficial bacteria. Notably, this is the first report on the effects of black soldier fly oil on the gut microbiota of pigeon, which contribute to understanding the positive effects of black soldier fly oil from the gut microbial perspective.

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Growth efficiency, intestinal biology, and nutrient utilization and requirements of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae compared to monogastric livestock species: a review

Cited by 47 publications

References 167 publications

Consumers’ acceptance toward whole and processed mealworms: A cross-country study in Belgium, China, Italy, Mexico, and the US

Consumers’ acceptance toward whole and processed mealworms: A cross-country study in Belgium, China, Italy, Mexico, and the US

Metabolic modeling ofHermetia illucenslarvae resource allocation for high-value fatty acid production

Microbiome analysis reveals the effects of black soldier fly oil on gut microbiota in pigeon

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