Sustainability, Vol. 17, Pages 10632: Bioconversion of Seasonal Vegetable By-Products into Nutrient-Rich Biomass Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su172310632

Authors:
Oghenetega Lois Orhotohwo
Benedetta Fanesi
Lama Ismaiel
Anastasiya Kuhalskaya
Helen Stephanie Ofei Darko
Aizhan Ashim
Lorenzo Corsi
Sara Ruschioni
Alessio Ilari
Daniele Duca
Ester Foppa Pedretti
Marina Pasquini
Maria Federica Trombetta
Deborah Pacetti
Paolo Lucci
Paola Riolo

Agro-industrial processes generate large volumes of by-products rich in proteins, lipids, and bioactives, yet their valorization remains limited. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFLs) offer a sustainable route to convert these residues into nutrient-rich biomass. We evaluated six seasonal by-product diets (pea–chickpea, chickpea–green bean, wheat–green bean, spinach–chickpea, tomato–chickpea, tomato–wheat) and profiled diets and larvae for tocopherols, carotenoids, fatty acids, and amino acids; principal component analysis assessed assimilation patterns. Larvae did not mirror diets but clustered into two compositional regimes, indicating selective metabolism. Tomato-based diets enhanced larval α-tocopherol (22.54 mg/kg dw) and lycopene (6.87 mg/kg dw), while spinach-based diets contributed higher lutein and other xanthophylls. Significant diet–larvae correlations were observed for lycopene (r = 0.6719) and β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.5845). Across treatments, lauric (C12:0) and palmitic (C16:0) acids remained dominant, confirming the conserved BSFL lipid hierarchy (SFA > MUFA > PUFA). Amino acid profiles were relatively stable, with lysine and glutamic acid prevailing among essential and non-essential classes. Overall, BSFLs enriched with tocopherols and provitamin A carotenoids offer functional benefits for oxidative stability and micronutrient restoration, underscoring their dual role in waste valorization and nutritional enhancement within circular food and feed systems.

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Oghenetega Lois Orhotohwo www.mdpi.com