The Performance of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFLs), Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), as a Function of the Substrate Used: A Review

Organic wastes are one of the greatest challenges that cities face worldwide. In numerous underdeveloped nations, like Cameroon, waste is often disposed of through landfills, composting, or open-air combustion. Unfortunately, the concept of waste sorting and organic waste processing is new to many individuals. This has led to an increase in the amount of organic waste and the costs connected with its management. Consequently, the majority of developing nations have sought out waste management solutions that are more cost-effective. Therefore, it has been determined that the bioconversion of organic wastes by black soldier fly larvae (BSFLs) (Hermetia illucens) into multifunctional prepupae is a viable alternative. Appreciation is given to the employment of the organic waste management approach in developing nations since it is not only environmentally friendly and economically viable, but also provides a means for waste valorisation through the production of diverse resources and potential economic benefits. Studies have proved the usefulness of the insect in controlling organic wastes, but countries such as Cameroon are still unfamiliar with the nuances of this method. Consequently, this timely review examined the performance of the BSFL, specifically in organic waste treatment, as well as the best practices for multiplying them to determine its viability for use in a waste treatment plant, the production of high-quality larvae as a source of protein for livestock, and the production of diesel fuel.

Evaluation of growth performance,feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility of red hybrid tilapia fed dietary inclusion of black soldier fly larvae(Hermetia illucens)

Insects,particularly black soldier fly larvae(BSFM),Hermetia illucens,have been regarded as promising protein and lipid sources in animal feed,including fish.Digestibility is the key factor that affects nutrient utilization,feeding physiology and efficiency.In the present work,the effect of BSFM on the digestibility of red hybrid tilapia(RHT)compared to fish meal(FM)was ultimately unveiled.A 56-day growth trial was performed with 60 RHT(~30 g)randomly distributed into six tanks and fed two experimental diets containing FM as a reference diet and BSFM as a test diet.In addition,faeces were collected to determine their chromium concentration and proximate composition.The apparent digestibility coefficient(ADC)of dry matter,crude protein and energy in the BSFM diet were observed to be significantly higher than those in the FM diet.Besides,the growth performance of fish fed with the BSFM diet exhibited significantly higher(P<0.05)weight gain,specific growth rate,protein efficiency ratio and lower feed conversion ratio than those in the FM group.This study shows that the BSFM feed was well digested by tilapia and improved its growth performance.

Assessment of black soldier fly(Hermetia illucens)larvae meal as a potential substitute for soybean meal on growth performance and flesh quality of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus

A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of black soldier fly larvae meal(BSFLM)as a replacement for soybean meal(SM)on growth performance and flesh quality of grass carp.A total of 420grass carp(299.93±0.85 g)were randomly divided into 7 groups(triplicate)and fed 7 diets with SM substitution of 0%(SM,control),15%(BSFLM15),30%(BSFLM30),45%(BSFLM45),60%(BSFLM60),75%(BSFLM75)and 100%(BSFLM100)by BSFLM.The growth performance of grass carp in the BSFLM75 and BSFLM100 groups were significantly lower compared to other groups(P<0.05).The mid-gut villus height was the lowest in the BSFLM100 group(P<0.05).Muscle nutritional value was improved due to increased DHA(docosahexaenoic acid),EPA(eicosapentaenoic acid),total HUFA(highly unsaturated fatty acids)and glycine levels,and reached the optimum in the BSFLM100 group(P<0.05).According to the results of principal component analysis and weight analysis of muscle texture and body color,all the BSFLM diets except BSFLM15 could improve muscle texture and body color and reached the optimum level in the BSFLM100 group.Muscle drip loss and hypoxanthine content were the lowest and muscle antioxidant capacity was the highest in the BSFLM75 group,and water-and salt-soluble protein contents reached the optimum level in the BSFLM60 group(P<0.05).Dietary BSFLM significantly reduced muscle fiber area and diameter,and increased muscle fiber density and the proportion of small fiber(diameter<20μm)(P<0.05).Additionally,sarcomere lengths in the BSFLM75 and BSFLM100 groups were significantly higher than that in the SM group(P<0.05).The m RNA relative expression levels of Myo D,Myf5,My HC and FGF6b were remarkably up-regulated at an appropriate dietary BSFLM level(P<0.05).In conclusion,BSFLM could replace up to 60%SM without an adverse effect on growth performance and improve the flesh quality of grass carp.The optimum levels of dietary BSFLM were 71.0 and 69.1 g/kg diet based on the final body weight and feed conversion ratio.The flesh quality was optimal when dietary SM was completely replaced with BSFLM(227 g/kg diet).

不同形态黑水虻幼虫对海兰灰蛋鸡产蛋性能·蛋品质的影响

[目的]探究黑水虻幼虫在蛋鸡生产上的应用。[方法]以不同形态黑水虻幼虫补饲海兰灰蛋鸡,研究其对产蛋性能、蛋品质的影响。选取300日龄、健康、产蛋率接近的海兰灰蛋鸡192只,随机分为4组,每组3次重复,每重复16只鸡,对照组饲喂基础饲粮A,试验组Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ在基础饲粮B中分别添加活虫1 136 g/d、冻虫1 136 g/d、虫干366 g/d。预试期10 d,正试期60 d。[结果]试验组Ⅰ、Ⅲ产蛋数较对照组降低,试验组Ⅱ产蛋数增加,但二者差异不显著(P>0.05);总采食量、料蛋比、平均日采食量试验组Ⅰ、试验组Ⅱ显著高于对照组(P<0.05),试验组Ⅲ与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05);破软蛋率试验组均低于对照组,其中试验组Ⅱ显著低于对照组(P<0.05),其他各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。不同形态黑水虻幼虫添加可提升蛋黄颜色,但对蛋形指数无显著影响(P>0.05);鸡蛋哈氏单位试验组Ⅲ极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),试验组Ⅰ、Ⅱ显著高于对照组(P<0.05);蛋壳厚度对照组最薄,极显著低于试验组Ⅲ(P<0.01);蛋黄比重对照组均大于各试验组,与试验组Ⅲ差异显著(P<0.05)。[结论]添加不同形态黑水虻幼虫(活虫、冻虫、虫干)均能降低破软蛋率,提升蛋品质,对黑水虻幼虫作为蛋白质饲料的应用具有重大意义。