Potential of Fermentation and Vacuum Packaging Followed by Chilling to Preserve Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)

Mitigation Strategies against Food Safety Contaminant Transmission from Black Soldier Fly Larva Bioconversion

The black soldier fly larva, Hermetia illucens, can efficiently convert organic waste into biomatter for use in animal feed. This circularity comes with a risk of contaminating downstream consumers of the larval products with microbes, heavy metals, and other hazards potentially present in the initial substrate. This review examines research on mitigation techniques to manage these contaminants, from pretreatment of the substrate to post-treatment of the larvae. While much research has been done on such techniques, little of it focused on their effects on food safety contaminants. Cheap and low-technology heat treatment can reduce substrate and larval microbial load. Emptying the larval gut through starvation is understudied but promising. Black soldier fly larvae accumulate certain heavy metals like cadmium, and their ability to process certain hazards is unknown, which is why some government authorities are erring on the side of caution regarding how larval bioconversion can be used within feed production. Different substrates have different risks and some mitigation strategies may affect larval rearing performance and the final products negatively, so different producers will need to choose the right strategy for their system to balance cost-effectiveness with sustainability and safety.

Effect of enzyme-assisted fermentation on quality, safety, and microbial community of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) as a novel protein source

Considering the significance and scarcity of quality protein, this study aims to obtain a novel safe protein source through fermenting the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Lactobacillus crispatus M1027 and Pichia kudriavzevii DHX19 were added as starters together with neutral protease for enzymolysis during fermentation. The results showed that the low pH value (from 6.60 to 3.99), generated by lactic acid accumulation, created an environment where the pathogen could hardly grow. During fermentation, the flavor compound ethyl acetate content reached up to 406.55 mg/L, and the melanization was effectively inhibited by the starters. The increase of trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein content (from 8.73 % to 17.96 %) contributed to improving the absorbability of product by animals after feeding. Notably, the contents of detrimental substances, including total volatile basic nitrogen and histamine, were both below specified limits after fermentation. Simultaneously, the malonic dialdehyde content remained stable during fermentation. Relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Pichia gradually increased and finally dominated in the culture during fermentation, accompanied by pathogens decline below detection limit (1.0 Log cfu/g). Moreover, there was a close relationship between the dynamics of physicochemical indices and microbial succession. Overall, our studies explored a new process to ferment the BSFL paste which would improve the quality and safety of fermented BSFL paste. This research provided theoretical support for fermented insect as a novel protein source.

Overcoming Technical and Market Barriers to Enable Sustainable Large-Scale Production and Consumption of Insect Proteins in Europe: A SUSINCHAIN Perspective

The expected global population growth to 9.7 billion people in 2050 and the significant change in global dietary patterns require an increase in global food production by about 60%. The protein supply for feed and food is most critical and requires an extension in protein sources. Edible insects can upgrade low-grade side streams of food production into high-quality protein, amino acids and vitamins in a very efficient way. Insects are considered to be the "missing link" in the food chain of a circular and sustainable economy. Insects and insect-derived products have entered the European market since first being acknowledged as a valuable protein source for feed and food production in around 2010. However, today, scaling up the insect value chain in Europe is progressing at a relatively slow pace. The mission of SUSINCHAIN (SUStainable INsect CHAIN)-a four-year project which has received funding from the European Commission-is to contribute to novel protein provision for feed and food in Europe by overcoming the remaining barriers for increasing the economic viability of the insect value chain and opening markets by combining forces in a comprehensive multi-actor consortium. The overall project objective is to test, pilot and demonstrate recently developed technologies, products and processes, to realize a shift up to Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher. In addition to these crucial activities, the project engages with stakeholders in the insect protein supply chain for feed and food by living labs and workshops. These actions provide the necessary knowledge and data for actors in the insect value chain to decrease the cost price of insect products, process insects more efficiently and market insect protein applications in animal feed and regular human diets that are safe and sustainable. This paves the way for further upscaling and commercialization of the European insect sector.