Pilot scale production of Hermetia illucens (L.) larvae and frass using former foodstuffs

The food and feed sector requires new sustainable sources of protein innovative solutions for upcycling waste (former foodstuffs), which today is downcycled into energy or even wasted. This study aimed at evaluating the use former foodstuff streams as substrate Hermetia illucens (L.) larvae (black soldier fly larvae, BSFL) under long-term semi-industrial conditions. Different foodstuff-based mixtures different stocking BSFL densities were used during 20 batches, quality safety assessments performed on main outputs, namely production performance, frass impurities, larval nutrient profiles heavy metal content. About 1400 kg foodstuffs (fresh weight) to produce 239 230 frass. reared was highly efficient, with conversion rates (FCR) ranging between 2.3 5.5 (dry matter basis). optimization experiment revealed that foodstuffs-based mixture high density (10 larvae/cm2) lead efficient (FCR: 2.6) metal-free derived meal in terms amino acids. Furthermore, technical N, P, K levels minimal packaging material residuals (<2.65%). investigation suggests nutrients can be successfully safely recycled BSFL.