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Purging black solider fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) compromises their nutritive value as a feedstuff

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Abstract

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) is rapidly becoming a new sustainable ingredient. Currently, there is no information on purging BSFL and consequently their nutritional profile. In the first part of this study, the BSFL urea/ammonia content along with proximate, fatty acid and amino acids were examined when food was withdrawn at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h. After 3 h, urea content linearly increased until 24 h, while ammonia also increased linearly, but then decreased by 24 h. Total amino acids and total fatty acids gradually decreased and increased over time, respectively. At 3 and 6 h, butyric and acetic acid significantly decreased, respectively. In a follow-up separate study, providing coconut fibers mitigated the ammonia/urea increases within 48 h. Results indicate that the nutritional profile of BSFL reduces over time and thus should be processed immediately. Further research should explore the possibility of nutrient loading prior to harvest and more effective ways for purging BSFL.

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Data availability

The data sets used during the current study are available from the corresponding upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank John Howe for assisting with fabricating the units used to produce the black soldier fly larvae

Funding

This study was funded from a NIFA Evans-Allen project (project #: ARX05062) and a NIFA Capacity Building Grant (award #: 2019- 38821–29047).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas At Pine Bluff, 1200 North University Drive, Pine Bluff, AR, 71601, USA

    Nathan Egnew, Nicholas Romano, Hayden Fischer & Amit Kumar Sinha

  2. Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Baton Rogue, Louisiana, 70820, USA

    Nathan Egnew

Authors
  1. Nathan Egnew
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  2. Nicholas Romano
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  3. Hayden Fischer
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  4. Amit Kumar Sinha
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Contributions

NE measured the ammonia and urea content and ran the second study. NR wrote the manuscript, cultured the larvae and provided funding/supervision. HF ran the first study and organized the data. AKS assisted with measuring the ammonia and urea content. NE, NR and HF conceived this study.

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Correspondence to Nicholas Romano.

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Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Egnew, N., Romano, N., Fischer, H. et al. Purging black solider fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) compromises their nutritive value as a feedstuff. Int J Trop Insect Sci 41, 3279–3286 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00491-x

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