Rethinking food waste: Exploring a black soldier fly larvae-based upcycling strategy for sustainable poultry production
Victor Mlambo, Siphosethu R. Dibakoane, Thabang Mashiloane, Ludzula Mukwevho, Obiro Cuthbert Wokadala, Caven Mguvane Mnisi
Abstract
Food waste (FW) contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, burdens waste management systems, worsens food insecurity, and reduces biodiversity. Consequently, upcycling strategies must be refined to efficiently convert FW into valuable products. The utilization of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to convert FW into nutrient-rich insect meal for use in poultry diets is one such nascent strategy. This upcycling strategy has the potential to address food security challenges while reducing environmental impacts of both FW and poultry production systems. Indeed, innovations in BSFL production and the abundance of FW means that this strategy has a high potential for adoption and scaling up, despite a regulatory framework that lags in several countries. We analyse the suitability of various FW streams for BSFL and the insect's nutraceutical value for poultry. This strategy can resolve the global FW problem while contributing towards sustainable food production systems with minimal recourse to additional planetary resources.