Directional Changes in the Intestinal Bacterial Community in Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Li X
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8697953 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The potential utility of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to convert animal waste into harvested protein or lipid sources for feeding animal or producing biodiesel provides a new strategy for agricultural waste management. In this study, the taxonomic structure and potential metabolic and nutrient functions of the intestinal bacterial communities of BSFL were investigated in chicken and swine manure conversion systems. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla in the BSFL gut in both the swine and chicken manure systems. After the larvae were fed manure, the proportion of Proteobacteria in their gut significantly decreased, while that of Bacteroidetes remarkably increased. Compared with the original intestinal bacterial community, approximately 90 and 109 new genera were observed in the BSFL gut during chicken and swine manure conversion, and at least half of the initial intestinal genera found remained in the gut during manure conversion. This result may be due to the presence of specialized crypts or paunches that promote microbial persistence and bacteria-host interactions. Ten core genera were found in all 21 samples, and the top three phyla among all of the communities in terms of relative abundance were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. The nutrient elements (OM, TN, TP, TK and CF) of manure may partly affect the succession of gut bacterial communities with one another, while TN and CF are strongly positively correlated with the relative abundance of Providencia. Some bacterial taxa with the reported ability to synthesize amino acids, Rhizobiales, Burkholderia, Bacteroidales, etc., were also observed in the BSFL gut. Functional analysis based on genes showed that intestinal microbes potentially contribute to the nutrition of BSFL and the high-level amino acid metabolism may partly explain the biological mechanisms of protein accumulation in the BSFL body. These results are helpful in understanding the biological mechanisms of high-efficiency nutrient conversion in BSFL associated with intestinal microbes.
| S-EPMC8085981 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Insects are a promising alternative protein source. One of the bottlenecks in applying insects in food is the fast darkening initiated during grinding. Besides enzymatic browning, non-enzymatic factors can cause off-colour formation, which differs between species. This study investigates the impact of iron, phenoloxidase, and polyphenols on off-colour formation in insect larvae. Hermetia illucens showed a blackish colour, whereas Tenebrio molitor turned brown and Alphitobius diaperinus remained the lightest. This off-colour formation appeared correlated with the iron content in the larvae, which was 61?±?9.71, 54?±?1.72 and 221?±?6.07?mg/kg dw for T. molitor, A. diaperinus and H. illucens, respectively. In model systems, the formation of iron-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) bis- and tris-complexes were evidenced by direct injection into ESI-TOF-MS, based on their charges combined with iron isotope patterns. The reversibility of the binding of iron to phenolics, and thereby loss of blackening, was confirmed by EDTA addition. Besides complex formation, oxidation of L-DOPA by redox reactions with iron occurred mainly at low pH, whereas auto-oxidation of L-DOPA mainly occurred at pH 10. Tyrosinase (i.e. phenoloxidase) activity did not change complex formation. The similarity in off-colour formation between the model system and insects indicated an important role for iron-phenolic complexation in blackening.
| S-EPMC6393531 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The black soldier fly is currently the most produced edible insect on industrial scale, with its larval stage being processed into animal feed as the main application. As this insect species enters the feed and food chain, good hygiene and monitoring practices are needed to avoid the entrance of foodborne pathogens via the larvae. However, insufficient data on the risk of such introductions via industrial larvae production are available. To address this gap, a range of rearing trials were conducted in which the substrate, chicken feed, was inoculated with different levels of Salmonella and in which total viable counts and Salmonella counts were determined during the following days. The outgrowth of Salmonella was slower in those experiments with a lower initial contamination level than in experiments with a higher level. No significant reducing effect originating from the larvae on the substrate Salmonella counts was observed, in contrast to previous studies using other substrates. Our study also revealed that airborne transmission of Salmonella is possible under rearing conditions corresponding to those applied at industrial production sites. Based on our results, we recommend insect producers to use substrate ingredients free of Salmonella, and not to count on the antimicrobial activities that BSFL may exert in some situations towards food pathogens. More inoculation studies using other Salmonella serotypes, other zoonotic bacteria, other substrates, larvae of other ages and including variations on rearing protocols are needed in order to obtain a general view on the dynamics of food pathogens in this insect species and to support comprehensive risk assessments.
| S-EPMC8505792 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Nutritional value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) processed by three different methods of treatment was compared. The resulting products were the spray-dried BSFL (SPR), oven-dried BSFL 1 (OVN1) and oven-dried BSFL 2 (OVN2). Proximate chemical composition, and profiles of amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, heavy metals, vitamins and nucleotides were analysed and compared. The tested BSFL meals were considered to have a good profile of essential amino acids (EAAs), with leucine, lysine, valine, and histidine being the dominant EAAs. Their content of saturated fatty acids exceeded that of the unsaturated fatty acids. Vitamins B1, B2, and C were also present in the samples. Minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper were found to be in adequate amounts in almost all the samples. Heavy metals in the BSFL meals were mostly below 1g kg-1. Nucleotides such as inosine monophosphate and uridine monophosphate occurred in all the BSFL meals. Other nucleotides, including guanosine monophosphate, adenosine monophosphate, xanthosine monophosphate, and cytidine monophosphate were detected in either or both of SPR and OVN2. In general, the nutritional value of the BSFL meals tested in the present study was influenced by the method of processing.
| S-EPMC8880436 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The addition of Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HILM) to the feed could contribute to particular antimicrobial and intestinal health in animal husbandry. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of HILM on intestinal morphology and microbial diversity in different intestinal segments of Xuefeng black-bone chickens. All of 432 birds (45 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four equal groups with six replicates and 18 hens in each replicate: (A) basal diet, (B) basal diet with 1% HILM, (C) basal diet with 3% HILM, and (D) basal diet with 5% HILM. The results showed that, compared with the basal diet group, the HILM supplement significantly increased the abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) and Chao index in cecum (p < 0.05). Diet with 1% HILM significantly increased the villus height (VH) of the duodenum (p < 0.05) and cecum microbial diversity as represented by the Simpson index (p < 0.05). In particular, 1% HILM displayed a markedly increase in the genus unclassified Bacteroidales (cecum, p < 0.05). A basal diet with 3% HILM markedly increased the beneficial genus Romboutsia (jejunum, p < 0.05). Also, principal component analysis (PCA) cluster analysis showed that 3% of HILM was more individual than other groups (p < 0.05). However, 5% HILM decreased the VH and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD) of the jejunum and increased beneficial bacteria such as Staphylococcus (p < 0.05), which was regarded as pathogenetic genera. In conclusion, we found that HILM improved intestinal morphology and increased microbiological diversity and species abundance. Together, dietary supplementation of 1 or 3% HILM might benefit the intestinal morphology and intestinal microbiota of Xuefeng black-bone chicken. However, the addition of 5% HILM could decrease VH and the ratio of VH/CD of the jejunum and increased pathogenetic genera. HILM was an excellent protein substitute for Xuefeng black-bone chickens, which could meet the nutritional requirements under the condition of less feed. These results provide information for HILM meal as an alternative source of soybean meal in Xuefeng black-bone chickens' feed.
| S-EPMC8482533 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The need to increase sustainability in agriculture, to ensure food security for the future generations, is leading to the emergence of industrial rearing facilities for insects. One promising species being industrially reared as an alternative protein source for animal feed and as a raw material for the chemical industry is the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). However, scientific knowledge toward the optimization of the productivity for this insect is scarce. One knowledge gap concerns the impact of the microbial community associated with H. illucens on the performance and health of this insect. In this review, the first steps in the characterization of the microbiota in H. illucens and the analysis of substrate-dependent dynamics in its composition are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, this review zooms in on the interactions between microorganisms and the insect during H. illucens development. Finally, attention is paid to how the microbiome research can lead to alternative valorization strategies for H. illucens, such as (i) the manipulation of the microbiota to optimize insect biomass production and (ii) the exploitation of the H. illucens-microbiota interplay for the discovery of new enzymes and novel antimicrobial strategies based on H. illucens immunity using either the whole organism or its molecules. The next decade promises to be extremely interesting for this research field and will see an emergence of the microbiological optimization of H. illucens as a sustainable insect for industrial rearing and the exploitation of its microbiome for novel biotechnological applications.
| S-EPMC5930328 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae have been marketed as an excellent choice for providing calcium to reptiles without the need of dusting or gut loading. However, previous studies have indicated that they have limited calcium digestibility and are deficient in fat soluble vitamins (A, D3, and E). In this feeding and digestibility trial, 24 adult male leopard geckos were fed one of three diets for 4 months: 1) whole, vitamin A gut loaded larvae; 2) needle pierced, vitamin A gut loaded larvae; or 3) whole, non-gut loaded larvae. Fecal output from the geckos was collected daily and apparent digestibility was calculated for dry matter, protein, fat, and minerals. There were no differences in digestibility coefficients among groups. Most nutrients were well digested by the leopard geckos when compared to previous studies, with the exception of calcium (digestibility co-efficient 43%), as the calcium-rich exoskeleton usually remained intact after passage through the GI tract. Biochemistry profiles revealed possible deficits occurring over time for calcium, sodium, and total protein. In regards to vitamin A digestibility, plasma and liver vitamin A concentrations were significantly higher in the supplemented groups (plasma- gut loaded groups: 33.38 ± 7.11 ng/ml, control group: 25.8 ± 6.72 ng/ml, t = 1.906, p = 0.04; liver- gut loaded groups: 28.67 ± 18.90 ?g/g, control group: 14.13 ± 7.41 ?g/g, t = 1.951, p = 0.03). While leopard geckos are able to digest most of the nutrients provided by BSF larvae, including those that have been gut loaded, more research needs to be performed to assess whether or not they provide adequate calcium in their non-supplemented form.
| S-EPMC7213736 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (L., 1758) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is an endemic fly species from the tropical, subtropical and warm temperate zones of America. This saprophagous species relies on its environment where it finds the decomposing matter for the larvae to grow. The polyphagous diet and the macronutrient quality (mainly lipids and proteins) of these larvae make them excellent candidates for various applications such as waste and organic material management, incorporation in animal feed or alternative energy source. Although rearing development in temperate regions requires artificial processes to continuously produce high quality eggs and larvae, few studies have been conducted on the mating and oviposition processes governing H. illucens reproduction. Research conducted in semi-artificial rearing conditions showed that the number of mating varied according to the season. It has been speculated that this behavior could be due to differences in the intensity of sunlight caused by the change of seasons. This study aims at evaluating the influence of sex-ratio, density and nycthemeral cycle on H. illucens reproduction. In order to tackle this issue, an artificial set up for oviposition to collect eggs has been developed. This egg collection system aims at centralize oviposition and simplify eggs collection. Two populations with opposite sex-ratio (male-dominant and female-dominant) were selected. Their respective eggs productions have been evaluated for five breeding densities. Eggs weights varied significantly among the densities for each opposite sex-ratio population and female dominant population produced most eggs weight from 6500 individuals /m3. Finally, four nycthemeral cycles (2, 6, 12 and 18h of daily light) were simulated to evaluate the impact of light duration on reproduction. Early oviposition pic associated with a decrease of the oviposition period are shown when H. illucens are exposed to increasing light duration. These experiments enable improvement of the understanding on artificial reproduction of H. illucens.
| S-EPMC6490921 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Residues of persistent insecticides may be present in the substrates on which insects are reared for food and feed, which may affect insect growth or survival. In addition, insecticidal substances may bio-accumulate in reared insects. The objective of this study was to assess potential effects of selected insecticides on the growth and survival of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) and on their safety when used as animal feed. Six insecticides (chlorpyrifos, propoxur, cypermethrin, imidacloprid, spinosad, tebufenozide) with different modes of action were tested in two sequential experiments. Cypermethrin was also tested with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Standard BSFL substrate was spiked to the respective maximum residue level (MRL) of each insecticide allowed by the European Union to occur in feed; and BSFL were reared on these substrates. Depending on the observed effects in the first experiment, spiked concentrations tested in the second experiment were increased or reduced. At the concentrations applied (1 and 10 times MRL), three of the six tested substances (chlorpyrifos, propoxur, tebufenozide) did not affect the survival or biomass growth of BSFL, compared to the control (non-spiked) treatments. At MRL, imidacloprid stimulated the growth of BSFL compared to the controls. Spinosad and cypermethrin at the MRL level negatively affected growth and survival. The effects of cypermethrin appeared to be augmented by addition of PBO. A mean bio-accumulation factor of ≤0.01 was found in both experiments for all substances-except for cypermethrin, which was comparatively high, but still below 1 (0.79 at 0.1 mg/kg). The lack of accumulation of insecticides in the larvae suggests that there is no risk of larval products being uncompliant with feed MRLs. However, we conclude that insecticides present in substrates may affect growth and survival of BSFL. More research on a larger variety of substances and insect species is recommended.
| S-EPMC8059818 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae are a promising source of protein and lipid for animal feeds. The nutritional composition of the BSF larvae depend partly on the composition of the feeding medium. The BSF lipid profile in part mimics the feeding media lipid profile, and micronutrients, like minerals and vitamins, can readily accumulate in black soldier fly larvae. However, investigative studies on bioconversion and accumulation of nutrients from media to black soldier fly larvae are scarce. Here we show that inclusion of the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum in the substrate for black soldier fly larvae can introduce valuable nutrients, commonly associated with the marine environment, into the larvae. The omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), iodine and vitamin E concentrations increased in the larvae when more seaweed was included in the diet. When the feeding media consisted of more than 50% seaweed, the larvae experienced poorer growth, lower nutrient retention and lower lipid levels, compared to a pure plant based feeding medium. Our results confirm the plasticity of the nutritional make-up of black soldier fly larvae, allowing it to accumulate both lipid- and water-soluble compounds. A broader understanding of the effect of the composition of the feeding media on the larvae composition can help to tailor black soldier fly larvae into a nutrient profile more suited for specific feed or food purposes.
| S-EPMC5570497 | biostudies-literature