Effects of moisture content of food waste on residue separation, larval growth and larval survival in black soldier fly bioconversion
Abstract
In order to foster sustainable management of food waste, innovations in food waste valorization technologies are crucial. Black soldier fly (BSF) bioconversion is an emerging technology that can turn food waste into high-protein fish feed through the use of BSF larvae. The conventional method of BSF bioconversion is to feed BSF larvae with food waste directly without any moisture adjustment. However, it was reported that difficulty has been experienced in the separation of the residue (larval excreta and undigested material) from the insect biomass due to excessive moisture. In addition to the residue separation problem, the moisture content of the food waste may also affect the growth and survival aspects of BSF larvae. This study aims to determine the most suitable moisture content of food waste that can improve residue separation as well as evaluate the effects of the moisture content of food waste on larval growth and survival. In this study, pre-consumer and post-consumer food waste with different moisture content (70%, 75% and 80%) was fed to BSF larvae in a temperature-controlled rotary drum reactor. The results show that the residue can be effectively separated from the insect biomass by sieving using a 2.36mm sieve, for both types of food waste at 70% and 75% moisture content. However, sieving of the residue was not feasible for food waste at 80% moisture content. On the other hand, reduced moisture content of food waste was found to slow down larval growth. Hence, there is a trade-off between the sieving efficiency of the residue and the larval growth rate. Furthermore, the larval survival rate was not affected by the moisture content of food waste. A high larval survival rate of at least 95% was achieved using a temperature-controlled rotary drum reactor for all treatment groups. The study provides valuable insights for the waste management industry on understanding the effects of moisture content when employing BSF bioconversion for food waste recycling.
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Larvae feeding on substrates with low protein contents have a longer development time, are smaller, and have higher lipid contents if the carbohydrate content is high.
“Jucker et al. [40] found that larvae feeding on substrates with low protein contents have a longer development time, are smaller, and have higher lipid contents if the carbohydrate content is high [40].”
From A Review of Organic Waste Treatment Using Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) (2022) · cites this paper as [40]
Food waste substrate must have a moisture content of 70 to 75% to allow dry separation of BSF larvae from frass.
“Food waste substrate must have a moisture content of 70 to 75% to allow dry separation of the BSF larvae from the frass [63].”
From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [63]
BSFL frass must have 50% dry matter content for easy separation of BSFL frass from larvae.
“The BSFL frass must have 50% dry matter content for easy separation of the BSFL frass from the larvae [63].”
From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [63]
Wet separation process of BSFL frass is cumbersome and time-consuming if moisture content has not evaporated sufficiently during BSFL composting.
“The wet separation process of BSFL frass is also cumbersome and time-consuming if the moisture content has not evaporated sufficiently during the BSFL composting [39,61,63].”
From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [63]
BSFL frass can be easily separated from insect biomass using a 2.36 mm sieve when moisture content of food waste is 70 to 75%.
“However, the BSFL frass can be easily separated from the insect biomass using a 2.36 mm sieve when the moisture content of the food waste is 70 to 75%.”
From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [63]
Dry separation of larvae from frass is not possible when moisture content of food waste substrate exceeds 80%.
“Cheng et al. [63] reported that dry separation of the larvae from the frass is not possible when the moisture content of a food waste substrate exceeds 80%.”
From Potential Applications of Frass Derived from Black Soldier Fly Larvae Treatment of Food Waste: A Review (2022) · cites this paper as [63]
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A Review of Organic Waste Treatment Using Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens)
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“[40] found that larvae feeding on substrates with low protein contents have a longer development time, are smaller, and have higher lipid contents if the carbohydrate content is high [40].”
BackgroundHermetia illucens (L.) larvae as chicken manure management tool for circular economy
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- Authors
- Cheng, J. Y. K., Chiu, S. L. H., & Lo, I. M. C.
- Affiliations
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK)
- Corresponding author
- Lo, Irene M.C.
- Venue
- Waste Management
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-09
- Volume
- 67
- Pages
- 315-323
- ISSN
- 0956-053X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2620599562
- Cited by
- 251
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 10.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Waste Management (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect Utilization and Effects
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Keywords
- Hermetia illucens, moisture content, larval growth, larval survival, fish feed, insect biomass
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animal Feed, Food, Larva, Simuliidae, Waste Management, Bioreactors, Recycling, Solid Waste
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