Substrate as insect feed for bio-mass production

Abstract

Insects are able to convert organic material (i.e. waste and by products) into high-quality biomass, which can be processed into animal feed. Several studies have investigated the influence of growing substrates on the nutritional value of different insect species, particularly black soldier fly larvae and prepupae. This article reviews studies on how insects bioconvert different substrates, the effect of the substrate on the composition of insect meals, and on the development time (time needed to reach the harvesting state). All these studies indicate that insects convert low and high quality organic material (i.e. waste, by products, compound feeds) into high-quality insect biomass. The role and effects of selected nutrients, such as ether extract/fats, carbohydrates and fibre in the substrate, seem to be key factors in defining the features of the biomass as well as the time needed to reach the harvesting state.