Influence of Sludge and Feed Mixtures on Metal Retention, Pathogen Reduction, and Nutritional Value in Black Soldier Fly (BSF) ( Hermetia illucens ) Larval Substrates

Abeer Albalawneh (), Heba Hasan, Sami Faisal Alarsan, Saja Abu Znaimah, Mai Diab, Ahmad Mohammed Alalwan, Yazan AlBalawnah, Ehab Alnaimat, Bilal Sharman and Musa Abu Dayyeh
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Abeer Albalawneh: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Heba Hasan: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Sami Faisal Alarsan: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Saja Abu Znaimah: Center on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development for Near East (CARDNE), Jordan
Mai Diab: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Ahmad Mohammed Alalwan: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Yazan AlBalawnah: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Ehab Alnaimat: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Bilal Sharman: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan
Musa Abu Dayyeh: National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Amman 19381, Jordan

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae are increasingly used in sustainable waste management, offering potential for the bioconversion of organic waste into insect-derived fertilizer and animal feed. This study investigates the impact of varied substrate mixtures percentages of sludge and chicken feed on heavy metal accumulation, pathogen reduction, and nutrient composition in BSF frass. Methods: The experiment was conducted with four substrate treatments (100% sludge, 75% sludge + 25% chicken feed, 25% sludge + 75% chicken feed, and 100% chicken feed) over a 20-day period. Chemical and microbiological analyses were performed on the feed mixture before adding larvae and on the frass produced in each treatment. Heavy metal concentrations, including cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb), pathogen levels (Escherichia coli, total coliform, and fecal coliform), and nutrient composition, including moisture content, pH, ash, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and chlorine, were assessed. Statistical analysis was used to determine significant differences across treatments. Results: Heavy metal levels in frass varied with substrate composition, with significantly higher concentrations of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in sludge-dominant treatments ( p < 0.05). Treatments with higher chicken feed content were associated with lower metal levels, indicating organic feed’s potential in limiting heavy metal accumulation ( p < 0.001). Pathogen analysis showed high microbial levels in sludge-based treatments, while the 100% chicken feed treatment exhibited minimal contamination, highlighting its safety profile ( p < 0.05). Nutrient characterization revealed that chicken feed-enhanced treatments produced frass with higher nitrogen and potassium levels, suggesting improved nutrient density and potential for agricultural use. Conclusions: Tailoring BSF substrates by combining sludge with organic feed can enhance the nutritional quality of frass while reducing environmental risks associated with heavy metal and pathogen presence. This study supports the potential of BSF as a sustainable bioconversion tool, promoting circular agriculture.

Keywords: black soldier fly; bioconversion; heavy metals; pathogen reduction; nutrient recycling; sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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