Evaluation of the Microbial Quality of Hermetia illucens Larvae for Animal Feed and Human Consumption: Study of Different Type of Rearing Substrates

Abstract

In the context of climate change and depletion of natural resources, meeting the growing demand for animal feed and human food through sufficient, nutritious, safe, and affordable sources of protein is becoming a priority. The use of Hermetia illucens, the black soldier fly (BSF), has emerged as a strategy to enhance the circularity of the agri-food chain, but its microbiological safety remains a concern. The aim of the present study was to systematically review available data on the microbiological quality of BSF and to investigate the impact of using four different rearing substrates including classic options allowed by the EU regulation (cereals, fruits, vegetables) and options not allowed by EU regulations regarding vegetable agri-food (co-products, food at shelf life, and meat). A total of 13 studies were collected and synthesized, including 910 sample results, while 102 new sample results were collected from the present experiments in three farms. Both datasets combined revealed a high level of contamination of larvae, potentially transmitted through the substrate. The main pathogenic bacteria identified were Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Cronobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus coagulase-positive, while Campylobacter spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. Any of these four substrates were excluded for their use in insect rearing; however, safety concerns were confirmed and must be managed by the operators of the sector using microbial inactivation treatment after the harvest of the larvae in order to propose safe products for the market. The results obtained will guide the definition of the control criteria and optimize the following manufacturing steps.

Keywords: BSF; black soldier fly; edible insect; food safety; insect farming; microbiological risk assessment; rearing substrate.

Figure 1

Experimental design of microbiological analysis (gray: main steps, orange: samples collected, and dotted line: sample codes).

Figure 2

PRISMA systemic review on black soldier fly microbial quality.

Figure 3

Summary of the results of the enumeration of the main indicators: mesophilic aerobic bacteria, aerobic endospore bacteria, and Enterobacteriacea (A), and lactic acid bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, molds, and yeasts (B). Values are expressed in log cfu/g for the native substrate, larvae, and frass rearing on various substrates (classic, vegetable co-products, food at shelf life, or meat). * Limit of quantification for Enterobacteriaceae presumed <4 to >7 log cfu/g.