The insect Hermetia illucens: a sustainable source of molecules of high biological and economic value

The worldwide growing protein demand for farm animals breeding can no longer be satisfied by the intensive farms and the intensive use of agricultural land. Insect proteins can play an important role in the progressive substitution of proteins commonly used to feed animals, and prospectively in the progressive integration as novel food. Some insect species, such as the Diptera Hermetia illucens (BSF), can be reared on different types of organic waste, obtaining valuable secondary products: larvae/meal rich in protein and lipid, for aquaculture, poultry and pigs; chitin, exploitable in biomedical, pharmaceutical and agri-food fields; larval frass usable for crop fertilization. To study the effect of different substrates on insect growth, larval component and substrate reduction, 10000 larvae were reared on three byproducts from the agri-food chain (strawberry, tangerine, orange) and on a standard diet. The results highlight that BSF can successfully feed on all the tested substrates, although development time, growth rate, final larval biomass and larval components are affected by different substrates. The bioconversion process of agrifood by-products by BSF is a valid means for their valorization and for the sustainable production of alternative animal proteins and molecules of high biological and economic value, with a circular economy view.