Effects of Substrates and Processing Methods on Quality, In vitro Digestibility and Storage Stability of Processed Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens)
Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) has been noted as an excellent feed ingredient. However, there is limited information on rearing and processing technology. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the substrates for rearing BSF and the optimal processing method for BSF performance. Study separated as 2 experiment, BSF rearing and drying method(Exp 1.) and EP-processing method(exp 2.). During the study, 30 clutches were reared, with 10 per substrate. Three substrates, namely food waste (FW), tofu by-product (TF), and vegetable waste with two drying methods, namely hot air dry (AD) and microwave dry (MW) at expanding (EP) ratios of 5:5 and 7:3, were examined by evaluating their rearing performance, nutrient contents, in vitro digestibility and lipid oxidation stability during storage (0, 14 and 28 days). In experiment 1, the rearing substrates and drying methods were evaluated. Compared with that of conventional methods (FW, AD), the TF substrates and MW method showed higher dry matter contents (3.43%) and in vitro digestibility (1.62%) but lower ether extract contents(3.53%; p<0.05). However, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration under MW treatments decreased during storage (5.77%, 4.69% and 3.24%; p<0.05). In experiment 2, compared with that of the 7:3 EP-BSF ratio, the 5:5 EP-BSF ratio showed higher in vitro digestibility (2.70%) and lower MDA concentration during storage (19.19%, 7.96% and 6.42%; p<0.05). In conclusion, the optimal conditions for BSF rearing and ensuring product quality were TF substrates, MW methods and a 5:5 corn:BSF ratio. Therefore, the optimal conditions for producing EP-BSF can present an excellent feed ingredient alternative for swine feed.