November 25, 2024
16h
Sud 12
The expanding global population poses challenges in waste management and food production, necessitating sustainable solutions like black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) for organic waste recycling and protein production. This PhD thesis evaluates the use of BSFL as poultry feed, focusing on the conversion of human food waste and livestock forage into high-nutrient biomass. Experiments were conducted using combinations of human food waste both in Belgium and in Cameroon to assess larval biomass, mortality rates, bioconversion efficiency, and nutritional composition.. A Survey was carried out among poultry farmers to assess their acceptance of insect-based feed. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was utilized to analyze the bacterial diversity and richness in the midgut and hindgut of larvae, providing insights into the microbiota’s role in bioconversion efficiency and larval health. Nutritional analysis showed differences in crude protein, fat content, and sugar levels among the substrates and larvae,. Surveys among poultry farmers revealed a high acceptance rate (76% of breeders and 100% of feed sellers) for insect-based feed. Analysis of the larval gut microbiota, using 16S rRNA sequencing, highlighted dietary impacts on bacterial diversity, particularly with substrates influencing key bacterial phyla like Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The study found optimal growth with a balanced mix of substrates, yielding high larval biomass and low mortality. Our results suggest BSFL as a promising, sustainable poultry feed ingredient that enhances food waste recycling and reduces reliance on traditional protein source