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Review
. 2019 Jun 13;9(6):349.
doi: 10.3390/ani9060349.

Comprehensive Resource Utilization of Waste Using the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L.)) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Cuncheng Liu  1   2 , Cunwen Wang  3   4 , Huaiying Yao  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Comprehensive Resource Utilization of Waste Using the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens (L.)) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Cuncheng Liu et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is a saprophytic insect that can digest organic wastes, such as animal manure, plant residues, and food and agricultural wastes. In the degradation process, organic wastes are converted into protein, grease, and polypeptides, which can be applied in medicine, the refining of chemicals, and the manufacturing of feedstuffs. After their conversion by the H. illucens, organic wastes not only become useful but also environmentally friendly. To date, the H. illucens has been widely used to treat food waste and to render manure harmless. The protein and grease obtained via this insect have been successfully used to produce livestock feed and biodiesel. In this article, the biological characteristics, resource utilization of protein and grease, and environmental functions of the H. illucens are summarized. This article provides a theoretical basis for investigating potential applications of the H. illucens.

Keywords: bioconversion; black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.)); insect grease; insect protein; organic waste.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare that none of the authors have a conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Amino acid contents of dried larvae, soybean meal and fish meal.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Nutrient contents of different insects, soybean meal and fish meal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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