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Trace metal elements and microplastics ingestion during biowaste recycling by black soldier larvae
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Researchers examined the ingestion of trace metal elements and microplastics by black soldier fly larvae during biowaste recycling, assessing whether this valorization pathway introduces contaminant risks into the insect biomass and resulting frass.
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Impact of heavy metals, microplastics, and food pathogens on black soldier fly larvae
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Researchers fed black soldier fly larvae substrates contaminated with heavy metals, microplastics, and food pathogens to evaluate tolerance and bioconversion efficiency, finding that certain contaminants reduced larval performance and bioconversion rates with implications for insect-based waste recycling.
Impact of the size and shape of microplastics on their ingestion and excretion by BSF larvae during waste bioconversion
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Researchers investigated how the size and shape of microplastics affect their ingestion and excretion rates by black soldier fly (BSF) larvae during organic waste bioconversion, examining the implications for microplastic fate in biological waste treatment systems.
Toxicity and bioconversion: Meta-analytical insights into microplastic effects on black soldier fly rearing
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This meta-analysis found that microplastics in organic waste can reduce black soldier fly larval growth and survival, though larvae demonstrated some capacity to biodegrade certain plastic polymers. The findings are important because black soldier fly larvae are increasingly used for sustainable waste processing, and microplastic contamination in waste streams could compromise this approach.
Organic side streams (bioproducts) as substrate for black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) intended as animal feed: chemical safety issues
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This review examines chemical safety hazards of black soldier fly larvae reared on organic waste substrates as animal feed, finding that larvae can accumulate heavy metals, excrete mycotoxins, and reduce pesticide concentrations, while microplastics and organic pollutants do not appear to alter larval growth or composition.
Exposure of black soldier fly larvae to microplastics of various sizes and shapes: Ingestion and egestion dynamics and kinetics
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Researchers studied how black soldier fly larvae, used to convert food waste into animal feed, interact with microplastics of different sizes and shapes. The larvae ingested microplastics along with their food but could not fully break them down, passing most of them through in their waste. This raises food safety concerns because if microplastics persist in the larvae, they could transfer up the food chain when the larvae are used as feed for livestock or fish.
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