Source: UNIV OF ARKANSAS submitted to
TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE (BSFL) PRODUCTION UNDER CONVENTIONAL AND NOVEL STACKED SYSTEM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027300
Grant No.
2021-70007-35781
Cumulative Award Amt.
$77,440.00
Proposal No.
2020-05168
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2023
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[AQUA]- Aquaculture Research
Project Director
Romano, N.
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF ARKANSAS
(N/A)
PINE BLUFF,AR 71601
Performing Department
Aquaculture and Fisheries
Non Technical Summary
The rapid growth and intensification of the aquaculture industry has increased the demand for cheaper protein ingredients (feed) and simultaneously increased solid waste production. Both these problems can be mitigated by the production of insect meals, such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). In fact, recent reports have demonstrated that BSFL can partially or completely replace fishmeal, with particular success observed in salmon. Moreover, the ideal food for BSFL is organic waste and by-products that is inedible to humans, and thus can improve waste management on aquaculture farms. However, a major obstacle to the wide-spread use of BSFL is the difficulty in their production, which is partly due to inefficient designs, where incubation, harvesting and processing are often separate systems. In this proposal, we have developed a novel all-in-one "stacked deep dive" (SDD) system that is both streamlined and self-regulating. While this is simpler and likely more cost-effective, full-scale trials are required. Two main objectives are proposed; 1) to compare the productivity and nutritive value of BSFL as well as cost-effectiveness when produced in the conventional or SDD system, and 2) disseminate the obtained knowledge to farmers and provide demonstrations of the SDD system in order to receive their input for further design modifications. The potential short-term applications to farmers are two-fold; provide a high value product (BSFL) from unwanted organic pollution (fish waste, fish carcasses, spoiled feeds), which can be used to supplement their feeds at the nursery stages. In the long-term, improved BSFL production could greatly facilitate aquaculture sustainability by reducing our reliance on fishmeal and provide an environmentally friendly method for waste disposal.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
60131101010100%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;

Subject Of Investigation
3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;
Goals / Objectives
To evaluate the economic feasibility of culturing black soldier fly larvae in a novel self-sustaining stacked system compared to more traditional methods that are more compartmentalized. Additionally, the biochemical composition of the larvae will also be compared to assess their nutritional value as a novel ingredient in animal feeds and foods.
Project Methods
We will conduct two trials through time and each trial will be four weeks, which is of a sufficient duration for the lifecyle of the larvae to develop. The same substrate and "eggies" will be used. The substrate will be from an equal combination spoiled fish feeds and pond sludge. To ensure similar composition, they will be thoroughly mixed in a Hobart mixer. After adding substrate to the larval incubators, various production parameters will be evaluated to include the following,1). Time required for larvae to emerge.2). Number of larvae produced/area.3). Larval stages (variability in stages)4). Proximate, fatty acid, amino acid and mineral composition5). Analysis for economic viability, risk and cost-effectiveness of BSFL production in each system.Data obtained from #1-4 can be used to determine cost-effectiveness of the SDD BSFL system. The economic analysis will include calculation cost of production, break-even price and break-even yield, net returns. The project will be focused on production risk as well as on economic life/viability of BSFL production for farmers. To be specific, there will a comparative analysis of BSFL system using an enterprise budget under the conventional system and the SDD system. In terms of objective #4, we will also compare the nutritional composition of larvae versus pre-pupae (self-harvested) larvae as an extra comparison/data.

Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The information obtained in this grant is meant for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) farmers to potentially help improve their production. Academics may also be interested if they wish to have their own colony for research purposes, particualry if they cannot devote many hours for BSFL culture. Changes/Problems:We have been delayed in the renovation of the outdoor space that was beyond our control. Such delays were either due to supply chain issues in being able to purchase some materials in a timely manner as well as in Workday because others were not moving especially fast with approving some electrical services work. These have all been approved several weeks ago and now are in the final steps of completing our outdoor space. For example, it was necessary to install a new power pole, which was done by our own staff, but we do not have the expertise or resources to install new outlets andconnect to the main power supply. The power pole has been installed and a commercial electrical company is now installing the connection to the mainpower supply. Kindly note that materials were paid through this grant to set up the outdoor space (mesh, metal, wires, BSFL culture containers, PVC pipe, etc.),but not electrical services. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?There is an undergraduate who is currently assisting us in keeping the BSFL colony going as well as assisting with conducting studies. This undergraduate is not being paid through this grant, but is helping because they are being paid as a general "extra help" with another grant. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, through word of mouth or via email with other farmers. I have also recently given a webinar on "Using black soldier fly frass in aquaponics"onJuly 27th, 2022 to the Aquaponics Association, which was an invited talk and farmers and academics were in attendence (I was invited by Dr. Paul Brown and was hosted by Brian Filipowich (Chairman at Aquaponics Association). Once the data from the other experiments areorganized, I plan to write manuscripts to submit to international journals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We should have the outdoor facility up and running and conducting several studies under these conditions to improve BSFL productivity. This will mainly include the use of compartmentalization versus none, and how convieneint and economically feasible these two methods are. We may also continue to explore how to mitigate contamination by other insect species if this is still viewed as a problem when culturing outside in an enclosed space.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We are currently in the final steps of renovating an outdoor space for black soldier fly larvae culture which includes a separate indoor space to ensure no flies from outside can make their way inside. The indoor space is fully insulated (for the winter months) and currently installing a new electrical system.The outdoor space is located under a shed that is fully enclosed with fly screen and wire mesh, which will be used during the spring, summer and early fall months (and brought indoors during winter). One of the concerns with an outdoor faciltiy, even if enclosed in mesh, is contamination from other insect species. Therefore, while we were getting the outdoor space ready, we haveconducted several studies on how to mitigate contamination from other insect species, such as fruit flies and house flies.These studies included the use of a top dressing of pine needles, sawdust,cardboard, and spent coffee groundsto see if fewer eggs are laid by other insect species. Among these different substrate types, we found that spent coffee grounds is particularly effective. Additionally, we have conducted studies that compare the nutritional value of house fly larvae versus BSFL as well as the mineral composition of the frass made with these insects. This was done to better understand the implications of such contamination. For example, if some house fly larvae are harvested with BSFL, would this compromise the nutritional value. Similalry, how would such contamination influecne the frass quality when used as a soil amendement? We have obtained this data and are currently preparing manuscripts for submission

Publications