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

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.M. Nyakeri ◽  
M.A. Ayieko ◽  
F.A. Amimo ◽  
H. Salum ◽  
H.J.O. Ogola
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Organic Fertiliser ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Faecal Sludge

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.

scholarly journals Influence of Temperature on Selected Life-History Traits of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Reared on Two Common Urban Organic Waste Streams in Kenya

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Shumo ◽  
Fathiya Khamis ◽  
Chrysantus Tanga ◽  
Komi Fiaboe ◽  
Sevgan Subramanian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Waste Streams ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Livestock Feed

In sub-Saharan Africa, urban populations are projected to increase by 115% in the coming 15 years. In addition, economic growth and dietary shifts towards animal source foods have put high pressure and demand on agricultural production. The high ecological footprint of meat and dairy production, as well as high feed costs, prevent the livestock sector from meeting the increasing demand in a sustainable manner. Insects such as the black soldier fly (BSF) have been identified as potential alternatives to the conventionally used protein sources in livestock feed due to their rich nutrient content and the fact that they can be reared on organic side streams. Substrates derived from organic byproducts are suitable for industrial large-scale production of insect meal. Although efficient in waste management and in feed production, BSF larvae are very sensitive to the external environment such as temperature and rearing medium. Therefore, we studied the effect of temperature and substrate type, i.e., brewers’ spent grain (SG) and cow dung (CD), on the development and survival of BSF larvae. Both organic substrates were readily available in Nairobi, Kenya, the location of the experiments. In our experiment, 100 3–5-day-old BSF larvae were placed into containers that contained either SG or CD and further treated at temperatures of 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C. The duration of larval development was recorded, and the prepupae were removed, weighed, and placed individually in separate, labeled, 35-mL plastic cups filled with moist sawdust. After emergence, 10 2-day-old adults (5 males and 5 females) from every replica per substrate were transferred into a cage (40 × 40 × 40 cm) and allowed to mate for 24 h at their respective temperatures. The laid egg batches were collected and counted, and the adult flies’ longevity was recorded. The data were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model procedure. BSF larvae reared on SG developed faster than those reared on CD; the former also favored higher temperatures for their larval development and emergence into adults. The optimum range was 25–30 °C. With increasing temperatures, the longevity of adult BSF decreased, while the fecundity of females increased. Thus, it is possible to take advantage of the readily available SG waste streams in the urban environments of Kenya to produce BSF larvae-derived livestock feed within a short duration of time and at relatively high temperatures.

scholarly journals Rearing substrate impacts growth and macronutrient composition of Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae produced at an industrial scale

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Scala ◽  
Jonathan A. Cammack ◽  
Rosanna Salvia ◽  
Carmen Scieuzo ◽  
Antonio Franco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Waste ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Industrial Scale ◽  
Waste Valorization ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Spent Grain

Abstract Organic waste is a rapidly increasing problem due to the growth of the agricultural production needed to meet global food demands. Development of sustainable waste management solutions is essential. Black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) (BSF), larvae are voracious consumers of a wide range of organic materials ranging from fruits and vegetables to animal remains, and manure. Thanks to this ability and considering the larval high protein and lipid content, BSF larvae are a useful additive in animal feeds and biodiesel production. Unfortunately, the feasibility of using the black soldier fly as a tool for waste valorization and feed production has primarily been investigated at the benchtop scale. Thus, mobilization of current practices to an industrial scale is challenging because scaling up from small laboratory studies to large industrial studies is not necessarily linear. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the ability of the BSF to recycle organic waste at an industrial scale. To accomplish this goal, three organic waste streams were used (e.g., apples, bananas, and spent grain from a brewery) to test six diet treatments (1) apple, (2) banana, (3) spent grain, (4) apple and banana, (5) apple and spent grain, and (6) banana and spent grain. Working at scale of 10,000 BSF larvae life history traits, waste valorization, protein and lipid profiles were measured for each diet treatment. Differences were recorded across all variables, except substrate conversion, for larvae fed on fruit and spent grain (alone or with fruit). Growth rate significantly differed across treatments; larvae reared on spent grain grew twice as fast as those fed apples alone, but those reared on the apple and spent grain mixture produced twice as much insect biomass. However, it should be noted that larvae resulting from the apple diet contained 50% more fat than larvae fed the fruit and spent grain mixtures. Commonly-available organic wastes were successfully used at an industrial scale to produce BSF larvae that have the potential to substitute other sources of protein and lipids in different industrial applications. Industrialization efforts are encouraged to assess these impacts when integrating diverse ingredients into larval diets as a means to more precisely predict output, such as larval development time and final larval biomass.

scholarly journals Bioconversion performance and development of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) on treated cocoa pod husk

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciptadi Achmad YUSUP ◽  
Haryo Tejo PRAKOSO ◽  
. SISWANTO ◽  
Deden Dewantara ERIS
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Cocoa Pod Husk

Indonesia is the third largest cocoa producer in the world, thus the number of cocoa pod husk (CPH) resulted from this activity is abundant. To handle this waste, farmer usually uses it directly as a feed source to small ruminants but this practice is less effective due to its low protein content and it also contains a substantial amount of lignin. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae are known as bioconversion agents that can be fed upon various organic substrates and they are also high protein source. The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of BSF grown on CPH based on their relative growth rate (RGR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), waste reduction index (WRI), and development time. Body size of the imago from each treatment was also measured. Larvae were fed with fresh CPH (F), fresh blended CPH (B), composted CPH (C), mix of fresh CPH with food waste (F+FW) and mix of composted CPH with food waste (C+FW). Food waste served as a control. The results of this study show that the most ideal treatment that possible to be applied in cocoa plantation was C+FW treatmentwhich gave average prepupal fresh weight of 11.20 g/100 larvae with 18 days of development time. This treatment had the highest value of WRI and RGR among all treatments. Composted CPH that mixed with food waste treatment also had a shorter development time of BSF larvae.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF ZOOCOMPOST FORMED AS A RESULT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARVAE OF THE BLACK SOLDIER FLY HERMETIA ILLUCENS IN ORGANIC SUBSTRATES ON NEMATODES OF VARIOUS TAXONOMIC AFFILIATIONS

2020 ◽  
pp. 432-437
Author(s):  
Udalova ◽  
Butorina ◽  
Zinovieva ◽  
Bastrakov ◽  
Ushakova
Keyword(s):  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Organic Material ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Promoting Effect ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Hermetia Illucens Larvae

Bioconversion of organic material with the help of Hermetia illucens larvae allows to partially solve the problem of waste disposal and to obtain a wide range of various products, including zoocompost. In laboratory conditions, a mixture of lawn grasses was grown in the soil from a natural biocenosis with a predominance of saprobiotic (Rhabditida), polyphage species of nematodes (Dorylaimida) and phytohelminths (Tylenchida) and with the introduction of zoocompost in the soil in a ratio of 1/43. After 30 days, the number of nematodes in the control variants increased almost 6 times, the number of phytohelminths practically remained at the same level, the increase was due to saprobiotic nematodes. The ratio of phytohelminths to saprobiotic nematodes was 1:18. When zoological compost was introduced, a significant increase in saprobionts and a decrease in nematodes of the tylenchid order (~ 1:1380) were observed. The number of polyphagous species at the end of the experiment doubled in the control, while in the experiment it changed slightly. It was shown that in addition to the growth-promoting effect on plants, the introduction of an organic substrate leads to an increase in the number of saprozoid nematodes, with the displacement of phytohelminths.

scholarly journals Development time plasticity of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) populations under laboratory conditions

Entomologia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Berardi ◽  
M. Branco ◽  
M.R. Paiva ◽  
H. Santos ◽  
A. Battisti
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Larval Development ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Thaumetopoea Pityocampa ◽  
Pine Processionary Moth ◽  
Processionary Moth ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Two Populations

The pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae) is a univoltine defoliator that is active over a wide range of latitudes and elevations, being largely influenced by temperature variations, especially during larval development across the winter. This work compares field development time with that observed in the laboratory rearing under controlled conditions, in four Th. pityocampa populations characterized by different life history phenology: two populations from the Italian Alps characterized by early and late adult emergence, and two populations from Portugal, the first characterized by winter feeding and late adult emergence, the second by a switch of the larval feeding from winter to summer. The rearing started from the egg stage and was maintained in the laboratory at 20-25°C under natural light in transparent boxes. In spite of the different geographic origins and asynchrony of the period of larval development, all populations maintained an annual life cycle under laboratory conditions, as well as a phenology similar to that of the field populations. Such an outcome was possible due to a trade-off in the duration of the larval and pupal stages, the latter being identified as the phase of development when an efficient regulatory mechanism is acting to maintain the univoltine life cycle.

scholarly journals Insights Into the Immune Response of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Bacteria

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Bruno ◽  
Aurora Montali ◽  
Maristella Mastore ◽  
Maurizio Francesco Brivio ◽  
Amr Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Functional Features

In insects, a complex and effective immune system that can be rapidly activated by a plethora of stimuli has evolved. Although the main cellular and humoral mechanisms and their activation pathways are highly conserved across insects, the timing and the efficacy of triggered immune responses can differ among different species. In this scenario, an insect deserving particular attention is the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Indeed, BSF larvae can be reared on a wide range of decaying organic substrates and, thanks to their high protein and lipid content, they represent a valuable source of macromolecules useful for different applications (e.g., production of feedstuff, bioplastics, and biodiesel), thus contributing to the development of circular economy supply chains for waste valorization. However, decaying substrates bring the larvae into contact with different potential pathogens that can challenge their health status and growth. Although these life strategies have presumably contributed to shape the evolution of a sophisticated and efficient immune system in this dipteran, knowledge about its functional features is still fragmentary. In the present study, we investigated the processes underpinning the immune response to bacteria in H. illucens larvae and characterized their reaction times. Our data demonstrate that the cellular and humoral responses in this insect show different kinetics: phagocytosis and encapsulation are rapidly triggered after the immune challenge, while the humoral components intervene later. Moreover, although both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are completely removed from the insect body within a few hours after injection, Gram-positive bacteria persist in the hemolymph longer than do Gram-negative bacteria. Finally, the activity of two key actors of the humoral response, i.e., lysozyme and phenoloxidase, show unusual dynamics as compared to other insects. This study represents the first detailed characterization of the immune response to bacteria of H. illucens larvae, expanding knowledge on the defense mechanisms of this insect among Diptera. This information is a prerequisite to manipulating the larval immune response by nutritional and environmental factors to increase resistance to pathogens and optimize health status during mass rearing.

Fertiliser effect on Swiss chard of black soldier fly larvae-frass compost made from food waste and faeces

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
T.E.S. Chirere ◽  
S. Khalil ◽  
C. Lalander
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Percentage Increase ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Organic Fertiliser ◽  
Human Faeces ◽  
Swiss Chard

Inadequate organic waste management can have adverse health effects and pollute the environment. If the energy and nutrients in organic waste were to be used efficiently, they could increase food security. Composting using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae can convert organic waste into two valuable products: organic fertiliser, in the form of treatment residues, and animal feed protein, in the form of larvae. To demonstrate the feasibility of using BSF treatment residues as organic fertiliser, more knowledge is needed about the effect of BSF larvae-frass compost on plant growth and performance. This study examined the effect on growth of Swiss chard of five fertiliser treatments: (1) BSF larvae-frass compost of human faeces (BSF-F); (2) BSF larvae-frass compost of food waste (BSF-FW); (3) cow manure (CM), the most commonly used organic fertiliser globally; (4) an inorganic fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); and (5) a negative control with no fertiliser. The results revealed that BSF larvae-frass compost of human faeces and food waste gave comparable yields to inorganic fertilisers, and significantly higher yields than the unfertilised control. The percentage increase in fresh weight of leaves in the treatments compared to the unfertilised control were 132% for BSF-FW, 115% for BSF-F, 118% for NPK and 86% for CM. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that all treatments involving fertiliser gave differences in soil nutrient concentrations. PCA also revealed a positive correlation between soil nitrate concentration and yield. Thus, using BSF larvae-frass compost as fertiliser could be a way of efficiently returning plant nutrients in faeces and organic waste to the food chain.

scholarly journals Responses to Ecopollutants and Pathogenization Risks of Saprotrophic Rhodococcus Species

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 974
Author(s):  
Irina B. Ivshina ◽  
Maria S. Kuyukina ◽  
Anastasiia V. Krivoruchko ◽  
Elena A. Tyumina
Keyword(s):  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Resting Cells ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollutants ◽  
Rhodococcus Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rigid Cell Wall

Under conditions of increasing environmental pollution, true saprophytes are capable of changing their survival strategies and demonstrating certain pathogenicity factors. Actinobacteria of the genus Rhodococcus, typical soil and aquatic biotope inhabitants, are characterized by high ecological plasticity and a wide range of oxidized organic substrates, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Their cell adaptations, such as the ability of adhering and colonizing surfaces, a complex life cycle, formation of resting cells and capsule-like structures, diauxotrophy, and a rigid cell wall, developed against the negative effects of anthropogenic pollutants are discussed and the risks of possible pathogenization of free-living saprotrophic Rhodococcus species are proposed. Due to universal adaptation features, Rhodococcus species are among the candidates, if further anthropogenic pressure increases, to move into the group of potentially pathogenic organisms with “unprofessional” parasitism, and to join an expanding list of infectious agents as facultative or occasional parasites.

scholarly journals Conversion of Spent Coffee and Donuts by Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae into Potential Resources for Animal and Plant Farming

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Hayden Fischer ◽  
Nicholas Romano ◽  
Amit Kumar Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Organic Waste ◽  
Glycogen Content ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Hermetia Illucens Larvae ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus ◽  
Dough Stage ◽  
Plant Farming

Nutritionally unbalanced organic waste can be converted into potential resources for animal and plant farming by culturing black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) and prepupae (BSFP). BSFL and BSFP are rich sources of protein and lipids, while the leftover excrement called “frass” can be used as an organic fertilizer. Using readily available resources, BSFL were cultured on spent coffee, donut dough or an equal blend for 35 days. Survival, productivity, daily pupation and biochemical composition of BSFL and BSFP were measured along with the nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium values of the frass. Survival was highest in the blend compared (81%) to spent coffee (45%) or dough (24%); however, BSFL and BSFP were significantly longer and heavier from dough. Stage and food significantly influenced the protein, lipid and glycogen content of the BSFL and BSFP, which tended to be higher in the latter. While fatty acids were often significantly higher in BSFL fed spent coffee, the amino acid composition of BSFL was generally higher in dough. Frass from the blend had significantly highest nitrogen content, while potassium and phosphorus were significantly higher and lower from spent coffee, respectively. Although coffee and donut dough were suboptimal substrates for BSFL, a blend of these produced BSFL and frass that were nutritionally comparable to soybean meal and many organic fertilizers, respectively.

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