EFFICIENCY OF BIOCONVERSION OF ORGANIC SUBSTRATES BY HERMETIA ILLUCENS LARVAE

Abstract

The relevance of research in the field of cultivation and processing of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae is determined by the complex global challenges facing modern agro-industrial complex and biotechnology. This is due to the combination of the global need for new protein sources, the environmental imperative of waste recycling, technological breakthroughs in genetics and biotechnology, and the need to develop industrial regulations for scaling up production. A comprehensive study of Hermetia illucens meets key areas of scientific and technological development and has high potential for practical implementation in the agro-industrial complex. The paper presents a systems analysis of nutrient transformation during the processing of four types of organic substrates – wheat, corn waste, pea waste, and sunflower waste – by Hermetia illucens larvae. For the first time, a closed-loop analysis of material flows for the full cycle has been conducted: substrate → larva → zoohumus. Fundamental patterns have been established: the content of NFES in the substrate determines the weight of larvae (r = 0,92) and fat accumulation (r = 0,88); the ash content of the substrate is directly inherited by larvae (r = 0,99); the efficiency of protein conversion is inversely proportional to its content in the substrate (r = -0,97). A phenomenon of an increase in the protein content in zoohumus relative to the original substrate in groups with high carbohydrate content has been revealed. The maximum fat content (44,67 %) in larvae was achieved on a wheat substrate, and the maximum protein conversion (4,95 %) was achieved on corn waste. These results are important for optimizing feed protein and organic fertilizer production technologies within a circular economy.