Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing
At least 200 billion black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) are reared each year as food and feed, and the insect farming industry is projected to grow rapidly. Despite interest by consumers, producers, and legislators, no empirical evidence exists to guide producers in practicing human...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Animal Welfare |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0962728624000101/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797265167156772864 |
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| author | Meghan Barrett Chelsea Miranda I Theresse Veloso Casey Flint Craig D Perl Austin Martinez Bob Fischer Jeffery K Tomberlin |
| author_facet | Meghan Barrett Chelsea Miranda I Theresse Veloso Casey Flint Craig D Perl Austin Martinez Bob Fischer Jeffery K Tomberlin |
| author_sort | Meghan Barrett |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | At least 200 billion black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) are reared each year as food and feed, and the insect farming industry is projected to grow rapidly. Despite interest by consumers, producers, and legislators, no empirical evidence exists to guide producers in practicing humane – or instantaneous – slaughter for these novel mini-livestock. BSFL may be slaughtered via freezing, boiling, grinding, or other methods; however standard operating procedures (SOPs) and equipment design may affect the likelihood of instantaneous death using these methods. We tested how larval body size and particle size plate hole diameter affect the likelihood of instantaneous death for black soldier fly larvae that are slaughtered using a standard meat grinder. Larval body size did not affect the likelihood of instantaneous death for larvae that are 106–175 mg in mass. However, particle size plate hole diameter had a significant effect on the likelihood of instantaneous death, with only 54% of larvae experiencing an instant death when using the largest particle size plate (12-mm hole diameter) compared to 84% using the smallest particle size plate (2.55 mm). However, a higher percentage of instantaneous death (up to 99%) could be achieved by reducing the proportion of larvae that become stuck in the machine. We conclude by outlining specific recommendations to support producers in achieving a 99% instantaneous death rate through specific SOPs to be used with similarly designed machines. We also develop a protocol for producers that wish to test their own grinding SOPs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:40:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-321f83a7c63241f98940addb6a316fc5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0962-7286 2054-1538 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:40:29Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal Welfare |
| spelling | doaj.art-321f83a7c63241f98940addb6a316fc52024-03-12T09:31:46ZengCambridge University PressAnimal Welfare0962-72862054-15382024-01-013310.1017/awf.2024.10Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killingMeghan Barrett0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1270-4983Chelsea Miranda1I Theresse Veloso2Casey Flint3Craig D Perl4Austin Martinez5Bob Fischer6Jeffery K Tomberlin7Department of Biology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA Department of Biology, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, USADepartment of Biology, Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX, USADepartment of Biology, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, USADepartment of Entomology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USAInsect Welfare Research Society, Indianapolis, IN, USADepartment of Biology, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, USADepartment of Philosophy, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USADepartment of Entomology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USAAt least 200 billion black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) are reared each year as food and feed, and the insect farming industry is projected to grow rapidly. Despite interest by consumers, producers, and legislators, no empirical evidence exists to guide producers in practicing humane – or instantaneous – slaughter for these novel mini-livestock. BSFL may be slaughtered via freezing, boiling, grinding, or other methods; however standard operating procedures (SOPs) and equipment design may affect the likelihood of instantaneous death using these methods. We tested how larval body size and particle size plate hole diameter affect the likelihood of instantaneous death for black soldier fly larvae that are slaughtered using a standard meat grinder. Larval body size did not affect the likelihood of instantaneous death for larvae that are 106–175 mg in mass. However, particle size plate hole diameter had a significant effect on the likelihood of instantaneous death, with only 54% of larvae experiencing an instant death when using the largest particle size plate (12-mm hole diameter) compared to 84% using the smallest particle size plate (2.55 mm). However, a higher percentage of instantaneous death (up to 99%) could be achieved by reducing the proportion of larvae that become stuck in the machine. We conclude by outlining specific recommendations to support producers in achieving a 99% instantaneous death rate through specific SOPs to be used with similarly designed machines. We also develop a protocol for producers that wish to test their own grinding SOPs.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0962728624000101/type/journal_articleAnimal welfareblack soldier flyfarmer insect welfaregrindinghumane slaughterinsects as food and feed |
| spellingShingle | Meghan Barrett Chelsea Miranda I Theresse Veloso Casey Flint Craig D Perl Austin Martinez Bob Fischer Jeffery K Tomberlin Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing Animal Welfare Animal welfare black soldier fly farmer insect welfare grinding humane slaughter insects as food and feed |
| title | Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing |
| title_full | Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing |
| title_fullStr | Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing |
| title_short | Grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae: Empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing |
| title_sort | grinding as a slaughter method for farmed black soldier fly hermetia illucens larvae empirical recommendations to achieve instantaneous killing |
| topic | Animal welfare black soldier fly farmer insect welfare grinding humane slaughter insects as food and feed |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0962728624000101/type/journal_article |
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