Food Waste Management Employing UV-Induced Black Soldier Flies: Metabolomic Analysis of Bioactive Components, Antioxidant Properties, and Antibacterial Potential

Jiaxin Lu, Yuwen Guo, Atif Muhmood, Zheng Lv, Bei Zeng, Yizhan Qiu, Luxi Zhang, Pan Wang and Lianhai Ren
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Jiaxin Lu: School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Yuwen Guo: School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Atif Muhmood: Institute of Soil Chemistry & Environmental Sciences, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Zheng Lv: China National Development and Reform Commission Business Environment Development Promotion Center, Beijing 100101, China
Bei Zeng: School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Yizhan Qiu: School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Luxi Zhang: School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Pan Wang: School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Lianhai Ren: School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: Food waste, as a major part of municipal solid waste, has been increasingly generated worldwide. Efficient and feasible utilization of this waste material for biomanufacturing is crucial to improving economic and environmental sustainability. In the present study, black soldier flies (BSF) larvae were used as carriers to treat and upcycle food waste. Larvae of the BSF were incubated with UV light for 10, 20, and 30 min at a wavelength of 257.3 nm and an intensity of 8 W. The food waste utilization efficiency, antioxidant assays, antibacterial activity, and bioactive metabolites without and with UV treatment were determined and compared. Results showed that the BSF larvae feed utilization rate was around 75.6%, 77.7%, and 71.2% after UV treatment for 10, 20, and 30 min respectively, contrasting with the non-UV induced group (73.7%). In addition, it was perceived that the UV exposure enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of BSF extracts, and the maximum values were observed after 20 min UV induction time. Moreover, UV-induced BSF extracts showed an improved metabolic profile than the control group, with a change in the amino acids, peptides, organic acids, lipids, organic oxides, and other derivatives. This change in metabolomics profile boosted environmental signaling, degradation of starch, amino acids, sugars, and peptide metabolism. It was concluded that the bioconversion of food wastes using UV-induced BSF larvae can enhance the generation of a variety of functional proteins and bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, more studies are required to exploit the efficiency of UV treatment in improving BSF’s potential for upcycling of food wastes.

Keywords: Hermetia illucens larvae; food waste; black soldier flies; UV-induced; metabolomics; bioactive compounds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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