Valorization of black soldier fly larvae production using kitchen waste as alternative solution to waste management and source of protein for animal production in Dschang, Cameroon
摘要
The black soldier fly (BSF) is an eco-friendly insect known for its rapid reproduction, ease of rearing, and low breeding costs, making it a promising choice for practical use. It efficiently converts organic waste, like livestock manure and kitchen scraps, easing environmental strain, and offers a nutritious, cost-effective protein source for animal feed. This study investigated BSF larvae process performance on feed substrates, focusing on bioconversion efficiency (BCR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), substrate reduction (SR), and substrate reduction index (SRI). It also examined how different substrates affect the proximate composition of BSF larvae. Substrates used for the larvae production included a reconstitution of household food (HHF), fruit (FS) and vegetable (VS) remains. Commercial chicken feed (CF) was also used as a reference substrate. Results indicated that larvae grown on CF and HHF recorded higher weights; 0.257 ± 0.024 g and 0.145 ± 0.009 g respectively. CF-fed larvae and HHF fed larvae were the longest, averaging 25.50 ± 1.04 mm and 18.75 ± 0.85 mm respectively, while limited larvae growth was observed with the FS-fed larvae (15.00 ± 0.91 mm). The substrate reduction was as follows: HHF (82.25 ± 0.96%) > VS (63.41 ± 1.31%) > (FS 62.61 ± 1.87%) ˃ CF (48.14 ± 3.89%). CF-fed BSFL showed the highest bioconversion rates (23.03 ± 2.23%). Protein content in larvae was highest relative to the other nutrients and differed significantly between larvae fed on substrates. The findings offer practical insights into utilizing kitchen waste for BSF larvae production, addressing both environmental and food security challenges.