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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.
The growing world population accompanied by urbanisation and improved economies has resulted in an increased demand for diets rich in animal proteins. The rearing of livestock by existing practices is also becoming increasingly difficult due to changing environmental conditions. The use of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) grown on organic side streams (bioproducts) as feed for animals presents a sustainable alternative to conventional feed ingredients. The nutritional and compositional profile of BSFL reared on organic side streams and their potential to be used as animal feed has been extensively explored. However, little information is available on the chemical safety of BSFL reared on organic side streams. This review addresses the chemical safety hazards of BSFL reared on substrates spiked with different chemical contaminants, including heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. BSFL were observed to excrete mycotoxins and were able to reduce the concentration of pesticides and pharmaceutical compounds in the substrate. Certain heavy metals were found to be accumulated in BSFL when grown on spiked substrate. Initial studies have also indicated that the growth parameters and composition of BSFL are not altered by the presence of microplastics and organic pollutants in the substrate. Information about these feed-safety issues will assist in developing regulatory frameworks and appropriate processing methods to mitigate these hazards, thereby providing a framework of risks for the commercialisation of BSFL destined for animal feed.
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Chemical safety of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research: a critical review
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This critical review examines the chemical safety of black soldier fly larvae, which are increasingly used as a sustainable protein source for animal feed. Researchers assessed how rearing substrates may introduce contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and microplastics through bioaccumulation. The study identifies significant knowledge gaps in understanding how these contaminants transfer through the larvae into the feed chain and recommends targeted future research.
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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.
Plastics and associated chemical contaminants in black soldier fly larvae food waste bioconversion
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This review looks at whether black soldier fly larvae, increasingly used to recycle food waste into animal feed, can safely handle plastic contamination in that waste. While larvae seem to shed most plastic bits, chemicals like phthalates and PFAS (found in plastics and known to disrupt hormones) don't always break down and may build up in leftover waste or byproducts. More realistic testing and clearer safety rules are needed before scaling this up, since contaminants could eventually reenter our food supply.
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.
A comparative study of effects of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics on the growth and development of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens).
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Researchers investigated the digestion, accumulation, and excretion of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics in black soldier fly larvae, finding that both types accumulated only in the larval gut and had no adverse effects on larval growth or development. Larvae efficiently excreted microplastics before pupation, suggesting BSFL could process plastic-contaminated organic waste without significant bioaccumulation.
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