Abstract
Global demand for poultry and associated feed are projected to double over the next 30 years. Insect meal is a sustainable alternative to traditional feeds when produced on low-value high-volume agricultural byproducts. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) are high in protein and contain methionine, an essential amino acid that is critical to poultry health. BSF larvae can be grown on many organic residues, however, larvae growth and quality vary based on feedstock and cultivation processes. Experiments were completed to monitor temporal changes in BSF larvae growth and composition using almond hulls as a growth substrate under batch and semi-batch processes and with varying substrate carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N). A logistic kinetic growth model was developed to predict larval biomass and methionine accumulations during batch production. Estimated ranges of model parameters for larvae maximum specific growth rate and carrying capacity were 0.017–0.021 h−1 and 9.7–10.7 g larvae kg−1 hulls dry weight, respectively. Methionine content in larvae increased from 11.1 to 17.1 g kg−1 dry weight over a 30-day batch incubation period. Larvae-specific growth and yield increased by 168% and 268%, respectively, when cultivated in a semi-batch compared to a batch process. Increasing C/N ratio from 26 to 40 increased density of methionine content in larvae per unit feedstock by 25%. The findings demonstrate a logistic model can predict larvae biomass accumulation, harvest time can achieve specific methionine contents, and a semi-batch process is more favorable for larvae biomass accumulation compared to a batch process.
Highlights
The human global population is projected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050 which will put increasing demands on food production [1]
The results demonstrate that black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and methionine accumulation follow a logistic model under specific environmental conditions, altering harvest time is one way to achieve a specific methionine content in larvae, and producing larvae in a semi-batch process enhances insect biomass and methionine production compared to batch production
We found that varying carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio using a Pollinator variety of almond hulls as feedstock and urea as a model nitrogen source can affect BSF larvae growth and methionine content
Summary
The human global population is projected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050 which will put increasing demands on food production [1]. Finding methods that increase food production on existing natural resources is critical for addressing growing needs for nutritious food. Producing insect biomass requires less land and resources compared to the production of other protein sources. The land required to produce 1 kg of beef, soy, mealworm and black soldier fly (BSF) larvae is 12.5, 3.5, 0.60 and 0.22 square meters, respectively [2,3,4,5]. Many studies have demonstrated BSF larvae meal is comparable to soy and fishmeal and can be substituted into diets for poultry, fish and humans [10,11,12]. BSF larvae can grow on a variety of organic substrates and low-value, high-volume agricultural residues,
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