Nutritional Value of the Larvae of the Black Soldier Fly as a Food Alternative for Farm Animals-A Systematic Review

• Published in: Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 15; no. 8
• Main Authors: da-Silva, Welligton Conceicao, Silva, Eder Bruno Rebelo da, Silva, Jamile Andrea Rodrigues da, Martorano, Lucieta Guerreiro, Belo, Tatiane Silva, Sousa, Carlos Eduardo Lima, Camargo-Junior, Raimundo Nonato Colares, Andrade, Rubens Lima, Santos, Ana Gizela de Souza, Carvalho, Katarina Cardoso de, Lobato, Adriny dos Santos Miranda, Rodrigues, Thomaz Cyro Guimaraes de Carvalho, Araujo, Claudio Vieira de, Lima, Jucelane Salvino de, Neves, Kedson Alessandri Lobo, Silva, Lilian Katia Ximenes, Lourenco-Junior, Jose de Brito
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01-08-2024
• Subjects: Diptera; Environmental aspects; Food and nutrition; Insects; Larvae; Livestock; Nutritional aspects; Physiological aspects; Brazil
• ISSN: 2075-4450; 2075-4450
• DOI: 10.3390/insects15080619

The use of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens ) and house fly (Musca domestica ) as an alternative for farm animal feeding has very important implications for sustainability since it does not require the use of resources such as water and land for production, in addition to contributing to food security, especially in locations with a reduced supply of animal feed. Thus, the use of these insects as a source of nutrients can reduce the need for supplementation and the use of grains and forages. Dietary alternatives using insect-based products as an alternative for farm animal nutrition have been the object of study due to the high nutritional value of these feeds and the costs related to both their production and consequently their commercialization. Thus, the use of flies, especially larvae, has a high content of proteins and lipids (fat), as well as minerals and essential nutrients for development and growth, directly impacting the production of these animals, whether meat or milk. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compile data from the literature on the nutritional value of adults and larvae of Black soldier (Hermetia illucens ) and housefly (Musca domestica ) as a dietary alternative for animal feed. The Prisma checklist was used. After reviewing the data found in the literature, following the systematic review, it was noted that studies emerge that larvae of black soldier flies and domestic flies of the order Diptera obtain essential sources in the nutrition of ruminants, in addition to obtaining rapid digestibility, thus adhering to reproduction with high nutritional content, due to incident levels of protein, lipids, and minerals in M. domestica and Lucilia sericata , making it a target for inclusion in the diet of farm animals. In addition, it is concluded that both species are studied for their sustainable potential as well as for offering greater economic and nutritional viability when compared to ingredients present in production animal feed.