Gas emissions by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)
Contact: Prof. Dr. Cornelia C. Metges
Duration: 2020-2021
Funding: Hermetia Baruth GmbH
Abstract:
Protein production by insect larvae from by-products of the food and feed industry is considered to be more sustainable than livestock production. In fact, however, very little information is available on the actual production of greenhouse gases, which is sometimes contradictory. Similarly, there is hardly any data available on the energy metabolism (e.g. O2 consumption) of insect larvae, which is necessary for understanding of the nutrient requirements of the animals. The aim of this study is to analyse the production of CO2 and NH3 and the O2 consumption by larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens) in respiration chambers as a function of different by-products and the amount of substrate available per larva. By additional investigation of the feed (substrates) as well as the residuals (frass) a C/N balance shall be derived.