Efficiency of Bioconversion of Coffee Pulp using Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae

Abstract

In this study, we evaluate the capacity of Hermetia illucens (L.) to degrade coffee pulp, which is a highly contaminating residue and a by-product of processing coffee beans. The larvae were fed with dietary dosages of 60, 100, 160, and 200 mg/larva/day of Coffea arabica (L.) Castillo variety (0.5% caffeine), until they reached pupae stage. With a dietary supply of 100 mg/larva/day, the highest reduction percentage (%R) on a wet basis (62.88%) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) (7.89%) were achieved, while with a dietary supply of 160 mg/larva/day the highest weight reduction index (WRI) in a wet basis was achieved (0.85%). Larvae fed 200 mg/larva/day had the highest weight (115.9 mg) and shortest average development time (38.65 days). In this study we were able to define which dietary supplies of 160 and 200 mg/larva/day, allowing for efficient bioconversion of coffee pulp.