Quality Characteristics of Black Soldier Flies Produced by Different Substrates

Abstract

Black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) has a high capacity for amino acids and fatty acid accumulation. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of tofu by-products, food waste, and vegetables for BSF growth and conversion efficiency. BSFs under tofu by-product treatments showed the greatest weight at d 12 and the harvest period. Moreover, BSF larval weight was greater in the food waste treatment compared with the vegetable treatment at d 12 and harvest. The larva yield result was greater in the vegetable treatment compared with the tofu by-product. The bioconversion rate was higher in the tofu by-product treatment compared with the food waste and vegetable treatments. The protein conversion rate and lipid conversion rate were the highest in the vegetable treatment. The protein yield and lipid yield were greatest in the tofu by-product treatment. The lauric acid content was increased in BSFs fed tofu by-products compared with the food waste treatment. The concentration of C16:1 was the highest in the tofu by-product treatment. The content of oleic acid and α-linolenic acid was higher in BSFs fed tofu by-products compared with the vegetable treatment. In conclusion, the tofu by-products show benefits for larval growth and nutrient accumulation, which can improve larval quality for livestock feed ingredients.

A metanalysis to evaluate the effects of substrate sources on the nutritional performance of black soldier fly larvae: implications for sustainable poultry feed

“…The prepupal wet weight was highest in BSF larvae fed on Animal Source substrates, suggesting efficient utilization of animal-derived nutrients for growth and development. Interestingly, while manure led to the highest prepupal dry weight, it contributed to lower fresh LW compared to other substrates like Animal Source, Feed Waste, and Vegetable substrates, indicating potential variations in the moisture content of the substrates affecting the weight metrics ( Bekker et al, 2021 ; Hosseindoust et al, 2023a ). The LL was higher in larvae fed Fermentation Residues than those fed on other substrates, implying the potential of Fermentation Residues to promote larval elongation.…”

Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): Need, Potentiality, and Performance Measures

“…Similarly, the crude fat contents of approximately 9, 13, and 19% for vegetables, tofu side streams, and food waste diet had no hindrance on larval performance. For example, larvae weighed 179, 200, and 193 mg FM, respectively, when reared for 14 d on vegetables, tofu side streams, and food wastes [91]. Although larvae can survive on most diets, several factors and diet characteristics listed in this review affect the life history traits of larvae considerably.…”

“…The survival rates between different life stages can vary depending on other factors besides rearing in the moist substrate [15]. A few studies also use structuring compounds in the feed such as sawdust [91], or wheat bran and brewers' spent grain [92]. Generally, pupae are able to survive and eclose without any pupation substrate.…”

“…Similarly, the use of substrate for the egg stage is limited unless the eggs are immediately inoculated onto the substrates [3,28,36]. The direct inoculation of eggs on substrates with 60-70% [17,28,91] may lead to reduced hatchability [17]. Providing water for flies is recommended by most studies.…”

“…Larval densities are reported either based on egg weight [15,63,91], larval numbers calculated based on the average weight of a given number of individuals [72,79,96], or by manually counting larvae [3,45,98]. Most publications only state the number of larvae or eggs that are inoculated onto the substrate [22,40] but not whether larvae were manually counted or weighed.…”