Gross nutrients’ composition of black soldier fly larvae and substrate (Kenya)

In this study, laboratory scale experiments were set to examine the treatment of organic matter (faecal matter (FM) and kitchen waste (KW) using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). The study focused on determination of chemical composition of feed substrates, gross nutrients in BSFL and mass balance during treatment process. Using each of the feed substrates in triplicate, treatments were set up in rectangular plastic containers (18 by 9 by 6cm). In each container, 500g of feed substrates were added and 3 grams of 6-day old larvae introduced. Samples of BSFL and feed substrate were drawn at two days interval and prepared for proximate nutrient analysis. In triplicate, ten larvae were randomly picked after two days from each feeding containers to monitor the larval weight gain. The larval developmental time to 50% pupation, survival rate (SR), waste reduction rates (WR), prepupal yield, bioconversion rate (BCR), feed conversion rate (FCR), and efficiency of digested feed (ECD) were monitored at the end of the experiments for mass balance process. The chemical composition of both substrates varied significantly across the days. The study findings show the potential of using BSFL technology to valorize faecal and kitchen waste and produce larval biomass rich in proteins and fats. By implementing the technology, occurrence of open dumping and faecal contamination could be reduced.