Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

The Role of Organic Waste Feed Combination on Growth Rate and Nutrient Content of Hermetia Illucens Larvae

This study examines how different organic waste feed combinations affect the growth and nutritional content of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. While not directly about microplastics, these larvae are also studied for their ability to biodegrade plastic waste.

2023 MANILKARA Journal of Bioscience
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Toxicity and bioconversion: Meta-analytical insights into microplastic effects on black soldier fly rearing

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.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Genetic diversity and organic waste degrading capacity of Hermetia illucens from the evergreen forest of the Equatorial Choco lowland

Researchers examined the genetic diversity and organic waste-degrading capacity of black soldier fly larvae from Ecuador's Equatorial Choco lowland, finding the species can process organic waste while also ingesting microplastics that have entered the food chain.

2023 PeerJ 12 citations
Article Tier 2

A comparative study of effects of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics on the growth and development of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens).

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.

2023 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Examining the potential of plastic-fed black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as "bioincubators" of plastic-degrading bacteria.

Researchers examined whether black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) fed on plastic waste can serve as 'bioincubators' for plastic-degrading bacteria, investigating how gut microbiota shifts in response to plastic-containing diets and whether these bacteria retain degradation activity.

2025 Journal of applied microbiology
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics and salinity on food waste processing by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

Researchers investigated how microplastics and salinity levels affect the ability of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) to process food waste, finding that both factors can negatively influence larval growth, survival, and food waste degradation efficiency. The results highlight challenges for using this insect as a bioconversion tool in contaminated or coastal waste streams.

2020 Journal of Ecology and Environment 63 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Exploring the Intersection of Microplastics and Black Soldier Fly Larvae: A Comprehensive Review

This systematic review explores whether black soldier fly larvae can help break down microplastics in organic waste. Early research suggests these insects may interact with and potentially degrade some microplastic particles, though the mechanisms are not yet well understood. If proven effective, biological approaches like this could offer a natural way to reduce microplastic contamination in compost and soil used for growing food.

2025 Insects 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of the size and shape of microplastics on their ingestion and excretion by BSF larvae during waste bioconversion

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.

2024 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository
Article Tier 2

Gut microbiome of black soldier fly larvae for efficient use and purification of organic waste: An environmentally friendly development concept

This review examines how black soldier fly larvae and their gut bacteria can break down organic waste, including microplastics, heavy metals, and antibiotics. The larvae's gut microbiome plays a key role in degrading these harmful substances while converting waste into useful protein and fertilizer. This biological approach could help reduce the amount of microplastic-contaminated waste that enters the environment and food chain.

2025 The Innovation Life 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic Particle Contamination in Substrate and Frass of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Cultivation in Community Solid Waste Recycling Centers

Researchers investigated plastic particle contamination in black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) bioconversion systems at two community solid waste recycling centers in Surabaya, Indonesia, finding that insufficient waste segregation led to plastic particles entering BSFL substrates and frass. The study found that 74 percent of solid waste at one center was suitable for BSFL substrate versus only 37 percent at the other, highlighting how plastic contamination in insect bioconversion could introduce microplastics into the food chain via larvae-derived products.

2025 Jurnal Purifikasi
Article Tier 2

Treatment of biowaste commingled with biodegradable bioplastic films using Black Soldier Fly larvae: Generation and fate of micro-plastics

Experiments using Black Soldier Fly larvae to process food waste mixed with starch-based biodegradable plastic films showed that the larvae generate and accumulate small biodegradable microplastic particles (under 50 µm) during digestion. As biodegradable plastics become more common in food packaging, this finding highlights a gap in understanding their fate in biological waste treatment systems and whether "biodegradable" microplastics pose their own environmental risks.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae for Food Waste Treatment and Energy Production in Asian Countries: A Review

This review examined the use of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) for treating food and organic waste in Asian countries, summarizing bioconversion efficiencies, types of waste processed, and the quality of resulting biomass products including oils and proteins.

2021 Processes 175 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhanced biodegradation of microplastic and phthalic acid ester plasticizer: The role of gut microorganisms in black soldier fly larvae

Researchers discovered that black soldier fly larvae can biodegrade microplastics and phthalate plasticizers, with their gut microorganisms playing a key role in the breakdown process. The study found that the larvae's digestive bacteria enhanced the degradation of both contaminants, suggesting that insect-based bioprocessing could offer a novel approach to addressing plastic pollution.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 35 citations
Article Tier 2

A Comparative Study of Effects of Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Microplastics on the Growth and Development of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)

This comparative study examined the effects of biodegradable polyamide (PA) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics versus conventional microplastics on the growth and development of black soldier fly larvae, assessing whether biodegradable plastics pose lower risks to insect decomposers.

2023 Waste and Biomass Valorization 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the diet of Hermetia illucens: Implications for development and midgut bacterial and fungal microbiota

Researchers fed black soldier fly larvae diets containing PVC microplastics at various concentrations and found the insects could tolerate even high levels (20% of diet) without significant increases in death rates. The larvae ingested and reduced the size of the plastic particles, and while their overall gut microbial diversity remained stable, certain bacterial and fungal populations shifted. This suggests black soldier flies could potentially help process plastic waste, though the safety of using these insects as animal feed after plastic exposure needs further study.

2024 Waste Management 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of heavy metals, microplastics, and food pathogens on black soldier fly larvae

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.

2025 Lirias (KU Leuven)
Article Tier 2

Enhancing the bioconversion rate and end products of black soldier fly (BSF) treatment – A comprehensive review

Researchers reviewed how black soldier fly larvae can efficiently convert organic waste — including food scraps and manure — into protein-rich feed, fertilizer, and biofuel, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional livestock farming. Their work highlights the larvae's potential to reduce plastic and food waste pollution while supporting global food security.

2024 Environment Development and Sustainability 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Treatment of food waste contaminated by bioplastics using BSF larvae: Impact and fate of starch-based bioplastic films

Researchers evaluated whether Black Soldier Fly larvae can process food waste contaminated with starch-based bioplastics, finding promising results as bioplastic use in food packaging continues to grow. The study assessed both the impact on larval performance and the fate of the bioplastic material during composting.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Peer Review #3 of "Genetic diversity and organic waste degrading capacity of Hermetia illucens from the evergreen forest of the Equatorial Choco lowland (v0.1)"

This is a peer review report for a study on the genetic diversity and plastic-degrading capacity of black soldier fly larvae in Ecuador. The review assessed research on using insects to break down plastic and organic waste as an eco-friendly waste management approach.

2023
Article Tier 2

A decade of advances in black soldier fly research: from genetics to sustainability

This review summarizes a decade of research on the black soldier fly, an insect increasingly used for animal feed, human food, and waste processing. The review covers how these insects can help manage organic waste, including research into their ability to break down certain plastics. This is relevant to microplastics research because black soldier flies are being explored as a biological tool for processing plastic waste, though questions remain about whether plastic residues could transfer through the food chain.

2024 Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastics shape the black soldier fly larvae gut microbiome and select for biodegrading functions

Researchers found that black soldier fly larvae can adapt their gut microbiome to digest a wide range of plastics, shifting their microbial communities to favor biodegrading functions. This suggests the insects could serve as living incubators for discovering new plastic-breaking enzymes for industrial cleanup applications.

2023 Microbiome 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Organic side streams (bioproducts) as substrate for black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) intended as animal feed: chemical safety issues

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.

2022 Animal Production Science 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Trace metal elements and microplastics ingestion during biowaste recycling by black soldier larvae

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.

2025 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository
Article Tier 2

Ingestion and egestion dynamics of micro- and nanoplastics in black soldier fly larvae

Researchers investigated the ingestion and egestion dynamics of micro- and nanoplastics in black soldier fly larvae, examining how these insects process plastic particles and their potential role in plastic breakdown.

2024 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository