Relationship between substrate composition and larval weight: a simple growth model for black soldier fly larvae

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) could play an important role as a high-quality source of protein, lipid, and other nutrients not only for animal feed but also human consumption. However, feeding material costs the strongly influence economic feasibility source. Therefore, performance several side streams originating from food production, which are legally permitted in European Union grade substrates, were tested rearing BSFL. The substrates differed their composition with respect to macronutrients, like proteins lipids, minor nutrients, minerals. A commercial chicken substrate was used control, it replaced stepwise by investigated substrate. effect replacement on gained larval weight, survival rate, conversion ratio determined. Data develop model predict weight based contents crude lipid protein. content distinctly influenced growth enabling maximum gain at moderate contents, whereas very sharp decrease found lower On hand, protein linear higher weights contents. For included, direct digestible carbohydrates demonstrating that this component limiting factor our study.