Influence of various organic wastes on growth performance and nutrient composition of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens): A meta-analysis

Abstract

Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae (Hermetia illucens) is a potential protein source in animal feed. The development and nutrient composition of BSF larvae depend on its substrate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various organic wastes as substrates on growth performance and nutrient composition of BSF larvae across various studies by employing a meta-analysis method. A database was developed by integrating data from 47 studies that derived from 13 articles. The articles were derived from several electronic databases such as Science Direct and Google Scholar. Organic substrates were categorized into four groups, i.e., food waste, animal feed, faeces, and other substrates (those which could not be included into the previous three groups). These groups were statistically analyzed by using analysis of variance and continued with the Duncan multiple range test to compare among different group means. The results showed that food waste and animal feed substrates had higher percentage of waste reduction index and conversion rate as compared to those of faeces and other substrates (P<0.05). Animal feed substrate had higher prepupal yield mass of BSF larvae than that of food waste substrate (P<0.05). In regard to nutrient composition of the BSF larvae, both crude protein and ether extract of the insect species were not influenced by the different substrates and revealed relatively similar values. In conclusion, a more nutritious substrate leads to a faster growth and a higher mass yield of BSF larvae, but it does not alter nutrient composition of the insect.