GLOBAL JOURNAL OF FISHERIES SCIENCE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2782-750X
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/GJFS
Start Year: 2018
Email: gjfs@integrityresjournals.org
Composition of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens): A comparative study across three different rearing substrates and two different drying methods
https://doi.org/10.31248/GJFS2025.084 | Article Number: A374C1A43 | Vol.7 (3) - August 2025
Received Date: 10 June 2025 | Accepted Date: 18 August 2025 | Published Date: 30 August 2025
Authors: B. O. Omitoyin , E. K. Ajani , O. B. Oduntan , O. K. Kareem , S. O. Yusuf and K. A. Iyapo*
Keywords: aquaculture, wheat-bran, insect meal, organic substrates, sustainable protein source
The development of the aquaculture sector in Nigeria has been slowed by the growing cost of feed ingredients, particularly fish meal. It is becoming more and more common to produce Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) as insect meal and a sustainable substitute for conventional animal feed sources. However, there is limited information on the best suited substrate for the commercial production of BSFL. Hence, the nutrient composition of BSFL meal was assessed utilizing several substrates and drying methods. The BSFL were grown on three distinct organic wastes of wheat bran (WB), maize bran (CB), and varied fruit wastes (FW) for 13 days, at UI-FAO insectarium, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan. Oven and sun-drying techniques were used to process the reared BSFL. Compositions of the larvae raised on three distinct types of organic garbage were assessed and statistically examined. Larvae raised on wheat bran/sundried (WB/SD) had the maximum protein content (60.78%), whereas those raised on fruit waste/oven dried (FR/OD) had the lowest value (29.70%). Larvae raised on fruit waste/oven dried (FR/OD) had higher levels of vitamin A, C, and D, whereas those raised on wheat-bran/oven dried (WB/OD) had the lowest levels. Larvae raised on wheat-bran substrate had significantly different (p˂0.05) levels of alanine. No statistical differences were observed in copper values of the larvae reared on the three substrates. The larvae raised on a wheat-bran substrate had greater levels of potassium and zinc compared to the larvae reared on assorted fruit waste and corn-bran substrates. The results revealed wheat bran as the best substrate, and black soldier fly larvae were identified as a possible sustainable supply of protein in aquaculture. Consequently, it is advised that black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) be raised on wheat bran substrate and processed via the sun-drying method, which is a preferable substrate and drying method.
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