Suitable Substrates for Black Soldier Fly Larvae Production: A Pathway Towards Sustainable Aquafeed Production

Due to the rapid growth in aquaculture, there is an urgent need to explore alternative sustainable sources for fish feed other than conventional fishmeal. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have been identified as a potential source of protein that could transform waste materials into high-value biomass. 

This review critically synthesises current knowledge on substrate selection for BSFL production and evaluates its implications for sustainable aquafeed development. It investigates the nutritional needs of BSFL, substrate types such as agricultural, food processing, and municipal wastes, and pretreatments like thermal, biological, chemical, and enzymatic. 

The paper explores the best practices for selecting substrates for BSFL production and the economic and environmental impacts of different substrates. There is sufficient evidence that plant-based substrates, especially combinations of multiple substrates, result in higher quality BSFL biomass characterized by better functional properties. 

These include increased antioxidant capacity and cell proliferation activities. Overall, optimising substrate selection and pretreatment strategies can enhance BSFL biomass quality, improve waste valorization, and support the development of sustainable aquafeed systems.