Work

Comprehensive industry-relevant black soldier fly bioconversion characterisation by a novel chamber system

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: recovery, airtightness, airflow homogeneity, and BSFL performance using firstly, a uniform control substrate and secondly, uniform food waste across four parallel chambers. In a third trial, the composition of food waste was varied across parallel chambers to detect differences in metabolic processes. For trials using uniform substrates, low variability across chambers in performance parameters confirmed the reproducibility and comparability of the design (e.g. bioconversion rate: <1%, final larval mass: ≤2 mg, standard deviations, dry matter based). In contrast, the trial with varying food waste compositions showed a strong effect on average substrate/frass temperature (e.g. 31.5 °C vs 41.8 °C) and final dry larval mass (e.g. 67 mg vs 40 mg). This is the first study to systematically assess heat generation directly from heterogeneous food waste, a crucial parameter for efficient BSFL bioconversion. These chambers provide an opportunity for science and industry to thoroughly assess and understand the metabolic bioconversion characteristics. The findings are key for the optimisation of sustainable bioconversion processes.

Source: Waste Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.12.016