Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate
Background Controlling the substrate moisture is a significant challenge in black soldier fly (BSF) farming. Many substrates have a high moisture content, which results in a low BSF biomass and a high mortality. One potential solution involves incorporating dry substrates into the food mix to mitiga...
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| Format: | Article |
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PeerJ Inc.
2024-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/17129.pdf |
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| author | Parichart Laksanawimol Pritsana Anukun Anchana Thancharoen |
| author_facet | Parichart Laksanawimol Pritsana Anukun Anchana Thancharoen |
| author_sort | Parichart Laksanawimol |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Controlling the substrate moisture is a significant challenge in black soldier fly (BSF) farming. Many substrates have a high moisture content, which results in a low BSF biomass and a high mortality. One potential solution involves incorporating dry substrates into the food mix to mitigate the excessive moisture. However, little information about the types and quantities of dry substrates is available. Methods Six different dry materials–rice husk (RH), rice bran (RB), rice husk ash (RHA), coconut coir dust (CC), rubberwood sawdust (RSD), and spent coffee grounds (SCGs)–were evaluated by combining with pure minced mixed vegetables in varying proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, and 50% by weight). This study encompassed both small-scale and medium-scale experiments to comprehensively assess the effects of the addition of each of these different dry substrates and their quantities on aspects of the development of BSF, such as BSF biomass, larval duration, mortality rates, adult sex ratio, and the moisture removal efficiency of each substrate mixture. Results Each dry substrate had specific properties. Although RB emerged as a favorable dry substrate owing to its nutritional content and substantial water-holding capacity, excessive use of RB (>15% by weight) resulted in elevated temperatures and subsequent desiccation of the substrate, potentially leading to larval mortality. In contrast, RH demonstrated the ability to support improved larval duration and growth, permitting its utilization in higher proportions (up to 50%). On the other hand, CC, RHA, and SCG are better suited for inclusion in BSF larval substrates in smaller quantities. Discussion Some dry substrates require a pretreatment process to eliminate toxic substances prior to their incorporation into substrate mixtures, such as CC and SCG. A potential alternative solution involves employing a combination of various dry substrates. This approach aims to enhance the substrate moisture control and subsequently improve the BSF rearing performance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:28:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ab38286d9cfe4796bf9f27a27afee8cd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:28:28Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
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| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-ab38286d9cfe4796bf9f27a27afee8cd2024-03-30T15:05:06ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592024-03-0112e1712910.7717/peerj.17129Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrateParichart Laksanawimol0Pritsana Anukun1Anchana Thancharoen2Faculty of Science, Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Bangkok, ThailandFaculty of Science, Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, ThailandBackground Controlling the substrate moisture is a significant challenge in black soldier fly (BSF) farming. Many substrates have a high moisture content, which results in a low BSF biomass and a high mortality. One potential solution involves incorporating dry substrates into the food mix to mitigate the excessive moisture. However, little information about the types and quantities of dry substrates is available. Methods Six different dry materials–rice husk (RH), rice bran (RB), rice husk ash (RHA), coconut coir dust (CC), rubberwood sawdust (RSD), and spent coffee grounds (SCGs)–were evaluated by combining with pure minced mixed vegetables in varying proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, and 50% by weight). This study encompassed both small-scale and medium-scale experiments to comprehensively assess the effects of the addition of each of these different dry substrates and their quantities on aspects of the development of BSF, such as BSF biomass, larval duration, mortality rates, adult sex ratio, and the moisture removal efficiency of each substrate mixture. Results Each dry substrate had specific properties. Although RB emerged as a favorable dry substrate owing to its nutritional content and substantial water-holding capacity, excessive use of RB (>15% by weight) resulted in elevated temperatures and subsequent desiccation of the substrate, potentially leading to larval mortality. In contrast, RH demonstrated the ability to support improved larval duration and growth, permitting its utilization in higher proportions (up to 50%). On the other hand, CC, RHA, and SCG are better suited for inclusion in BSF larval substrates in smaller quantities. Discussion Some dry substrates require a pretreatment process to eliminate toxic substances prior to their incorporation into substrate mixtures, such as CC and SCG. A potential alternative solution involves employing a combination of various dry substrates. This approach aims to enhance the substrate moisture control and subsequently improve the BSF rearing performance.https://peerj.com/articles/17129.pdfBSFDipteraInsect farmingSubstrate ventilationAgricultural byproducts |
| spellingShingle | Parichart Laksanawimol Pritsana Anukun Anchana Thancharoen Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate PeerJ BSF Diptera Insect farming Substrate ventilation Agricultural byproducts |
| title | Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate |
| title_full | Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate |
| title_fullStr | Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate |
| title_short | Use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) rearing substrate |
| title_sort | use of different dry materials to control the moisture in a black soldier fly hermetia illucens rearing substrate |
| topic | BSF Diptera Insect farming Substrate ventilation Agricultural byproducts |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/17129.pdf |
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