Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) during Various Life Stages Reared on Vegetable and Fruit Waste.

The larvae of Hermetia illucens L., the black soldier fly (BSF), feed on organic waste, minimizing environmental pollution and transforming waste into insect biomass that is rich in protein and fat. The studies on nutritional spectra in different growth stages of black soldier flies were analyzed. Chemical analyses were performed to assess the amount of crude protein, fat, ash and mineral content in the BSF fed on vegetable and fruit waste. The composition of crude protein, fat, dry matter, fiber and ash content of BSF. The most prevalent macro minerals in the larvae were calcium, phosphorus and potassium; however, their concentrations varied considerably among the feed. These findings add vital evidence in favor of the use of BSF larval meal as affordable and nutrient-rich substitute for the expensive and scarce protein animal feed sources such as fish meal and soybean meal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]