Improving the Lipid Profile of Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens ) Larvae for Marine Aquafeeds: Current State of Knowledge

Daniela P. Rodrigues, Olga M. C. C. Ameixa, José Antonio Vázquez and Ricardo Calado
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Daniela P. Rodrigues: ECOMARE, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Olga M. C. C. Ameixa: ECOMARE, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
José Antonio Vázquez: Group of Recycling and Valorisation of Waste Materials (REVAL), Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC), C/Eduardo Cabello, 6, 36208 Vigo, Galicia, Spain
Ricardo Calado: ECOMARE, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: The replacement of fish meal and fish oil by insect-based ingredients in the formulation of marine aquafeeds can be an important step towards sustainability. To pursue this goal, the modulation of the lipid profile of black soldier fly larvae ( Hermetia illucens ) has received great attention. While its nutritional profile can shift with diet, the ability to modulate its lipidome is yet to be understood. The present work provides an overview of the lipid modulation of H. illucens larvae through its diet, aiming to produce a more suitable ingredient for marine aquafeeds. Marine-based substrates significantly improve the lipid profile of H. illucens larvae, namely its omega-3 fatty acids profile. An improvement of approximately 40% can be achieved using fish discards. Substantial levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two essential fatty acids for marine fish and shrimp species, were recorded in H. illucens larvae fed on fish discards and coffee silverskin with Schyzochytrium sp. Unfortunately, these improvements are still deeply connected to marine-based bioresources, some still being too costly for use at an industrial scale (e.g., microalgae). New approaches using solutions from the biotechnology toolbox will be decisive to make H. illucens larvae a feasible alternative ingredient for marine aquafeeds without having to rely on marine bioresources.

Keywords: insect feeds; long-chain PUFA; marine aquaculture; n -3 fatty acids; highly unsaturated fatty acids; alternative ingredients; fish oil; fish meal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (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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