1,721,007 research outputs found
A mobile black soldier fly farm for on-site disposal of animal dairy manure
Full text linkBlack soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera Stratiomyidae), is a saprophagous insect that is receiving a growing scientific and economic interest since during the larval stage it is extremely voracious and able to consume a wide range of organic materials. This ethological characteristic is particularly suitable for waste management at industrial scale. The extraordinary ability to accumulate high levels of proteins and lipids, allows the use of resulting larvae as animal feed or biodiesel production; the residue of the bioconversion process, that consists of larval frass and not converted organic matter is assimilable to organic fertilizer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioconversion process by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on fresh and mature dairy manure. A “mobile bioconversion unit” that works as a mobile breeding unit was used, allowing to carry out bioconversion tests directly on fields, in different livestock farms located on the Basilicata territory (Italy). Total larval and frass biomass, bioconversion yield, BSFL development time and substrate reduction were evaluated for each treatment. All the analysed parameters differed from the control (larvae fed in standard diet) but not between the two substrates from the zootechnical chain. Although development time significantly differed across treatments, BSF correctly grow and reduce all substrates confirming larvae can be used to bioconvert animal manure reducing the undesired effects occurring from mismanaged this kind of substrate
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Bioconversion of Meat and Fish-Based Former Foodstuffs by Black Soldier Fly Larvae: A Sustainable Pathway for Reducing Food Waste, Enhancing Nutrient Recovery, with a Circular Economy Approach
Full text link: Food waste containing meat and fish presents a considerable environmental challenge due to regulatory constraints preventing its use in industrial insect farming. Although substrates derived from meat and fish are not currently approved for industrial insect feed production due to regulatory constraints, this study explores their potential in bioconversion through Hermetia illucens larvae. In this study, five different former foodstuffs containing meat and/or fish were tested to evaluate their suitability for BSFL rearing. The substrates included pizza with salami (PIZZA), cheeseburger (CHB), pasta Bolognese with meat (PASTA), chicken salad (CHISA), and fish salad (FISA). Results showed that BSFL successfully developed on all tested substrates. The highest performance was observed for FISA, with a total larval weight of 35.21 ± 3.91 g, dry matter yield of 11.21 ± 0.45 g, survival rate of 96.63 ± 0.40%, and the most efficient feed conversion ratio (FCR, 4.11 ± 0.59). Heavy metal analysis revealed substantial bioaccumulation of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in larvae. In particular, larvae reared on PIZZA showed a Pb concentration of 4.68 μg/100 g, with a corresponding bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of approximately 1.5. Cadmium accumulation was most notable in larvae fed CHB, with a Cd concentration of 0.41 ± 0.33 μg/100 g and a BAF of about 2.1. Despite this bioaccumulation, all detected concentrations remained well below the regulatory limits set by the European Union for animal feed, indicating not only the feasibility of H. illucens larvae in sustainable waste management but also its use as a safe protein source in animal feed. This research highlights the viability of integrating such food waste into insect bioconversion systems. With appropriate risk management, this practice could significantly improve nutrient recycling, waste management, and the circular economy, urging a regulatory review to allow broader substrate utilization. These positive outcomes underscore the potential of integrating currently restricted animal-derived food waste streams into H. illucens-based bioconversion systems, unlocking additional value for the circular economy and contributing to more efficient waste management practices
Insect Chitin-Based Nanomaterials for Innovative Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals. Cosmetics
Full text linkChitin and its derivatives are attracting great interest in cosmetic and cosmeceutical fields, thanks to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The classical source of chitin, crustacean waste, is no longer sustainable and fungi, a possible alternative, have not been exploited at an industrial scale yet. On the contrary, the breeding of bioconverting insects, especially of the Diptera Hermetia illucens, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Therefore, their exoskeletons, consisting of chitin as a major component, represent a waste stream of facilities that could be exploited for many applications. Insect chitin, indeed, suggests its application in the same fields as the crustacean biopolymer, because of its comparable commercial characteristics. This review reports several cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications based on chitin and its derivatives. In this context, chitin nanofibers and nanofibrils, produced from crustacean waste, have proved to be excellent cosmeceutical active compounds and carriers of active ingredients in personal care. Consequently, the insect-based chitin, its derivatives and their complexes with hyaluronic acid and lignin, as well as with other chitin-derived compounds, may be considered a new appropriate potential polymer to be used in cosmetic and cosmeceutical fields. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
In vitro antifungal activity and in vivo edible coating efficacy of insect-derived chitosan against Botrytis cinerea in strawberry
Full text linkStrawberry is a perishable fruit, susceptible to development of rot by a range of fungi, in particular Botrytis cinerea. Chitosan represents an alternative to agrochemicals for improving shelf-life and fighting fungal pathogens. A chitosan-based coating derived from pupal exuviae of Hermetia illucens has been recently formulated for improving shelf-life of strawberry stored at 4 °C and mixed condition (4 °C and room temperature). The effects of a decolored (PEDEC) and not decolored (PEND) chitosan from the black soldier fly were evaluated and compared with commercial chitosans from crustaceans (CCs), in vitro and in vivo. An inhibition/reduction of fungal growth and a disturbance of normal fungal morphology were observed, being MIC of 0.5 mg mL−1 and 1 mg mL−1 and growth inhibition of 70 % and 4% for PEND and PEDEC, respectively. Both edible coatings distributed via aerograph showed equal or better potential application than CCs in controlling B. cinerea in strawberry post-harvest treated. Different effects for chitosans depended on their different molecular weight and deacetylation degree distributions, and the presence or absence of melanin pigments in their structure. PEND could act directly against the fungus, with effects predominantly associated with fungitoxic properties; PEDEC might principally provide viable alternatives, such as the elicitation of biochemical defense responses in fruits, for example through total phenols, in particular the flavonoids
Edible insects: an overview on farming, from processing procedures to environmental impact, with a glimpse to traditional recipes and to future cultured meat
Full text linkIn the last decade, the use of insects has grown globally in relation to all sectors of the food chain. Insect farm
ing offers a sustainable alternative to conventional livestock production, with lower environmental impacts and efficient
resource use, as shown by Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). However, challenges in scaling production, standardizing pro
cesses, and addressing regulatory gaps remain. Continued research and collaboration are essential to fully realize the
potential of insects as a sustainable protein source for human consumption. This review analyses some elements related to
insect consumption, from the aspects of the hygiene, the different breeding and environmental impact to the description of
the processing techniques, also providing the reader with some practical examples related to some world-famous recipes
to offer an idea of how insects are perceived as food. The methods used in the processing of edible insects are critical to
improving their nutritional content, safety, and palatability. The acceptance of insect-based cuisine can be increased by
incorporating insects into traditional foods, thereby minimizing reactions of disgust. In addition, a look to the near future
examines the possibilities of cultured meat made from insect cells, which presents encouraging paths toward the creation of
sustainable protein, offering a revolutionary strategy that will transform future food production systems toward efficiency
and sustainability. This is an absolutely innovative aspect for the production of edible proteins
Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan from Different Sources Against Non-Saccharomyces Wine Yeasts as a Tool for Producing Low-Sulphite Wine
Full text linkThe use of chitosan as antimicrobial agent in different agri-food application is widely reported; regarding the wine sector, the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) has authorized the use of chitosan derived from the fungus Aspergillus niger, but other sources of chitin, and consequently of chitosan, are available, such as crustaceans and insects.
This work investigated the antimicrobial efficiency of chitosan from two different sources, which were commercial (crustaceans) and insect (Hermetia illucens), against non-Saccharomyces yeasts involved in grape must fermentation, such as Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Candida zemplinina, Hanseniaspora uvarum, H. guilliermondii, H. osmophila, Torulaspora delbrueckii, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Lachancea thermotolerans, Pichia kluyveri, P. kudriavzevii, P. anomala. Results show that the tested strains exhibited medium/high resistance to the chitosan, but in some cases the behaviour varied in function of species/strain. As regards the different chitosan source, only few strains exhibit different resistance levels depending on the chitosan type used. Treatment with two chitosan types during grape must fermentation inoculated with S. cerevisiae, showed lower antimicrobial activity than the SO2, but the combined use with sulphur dioxide showed better effect than the use of chitosan alone for both of them.
The evaluation of suitability of chitosan obtained from a sustainable source, such as insects, will allow to give new information for future application of this natural compound for the production of wine with low sulphite content
Lipids from Insects in Cosmetics and for Personal Care Products
Full text linkInsects, the most varied group of known organisms on Earth, are arousing great interest also for the possibility to use them as a feed and food source. The mass rearing of some species, defined as “bioconverters”, is spreading worldwide, thanks to their sustainability. At the end of the bioconversion process, breeders obtain eco-friendly biomolecules of high biological and economic value, including proteins and lipids, from larvae of bioconverter insects, in particular Hermetia illucens. Besides the most classical use of insect lipids as food additives, they are also used in the formulation of several products for personal care. The composition of insect lipids depends on the substrate on which the insects are reared but also on the insect species, so the cosmetic producers should consider these features to choose their insect starting point. The most abundant fatty acids detected in H. illucens are lauric, myristic, palmitic, and oleic acids, regardless of feed substrate; its fatty acids composition is favorable for soap composition, while their derivatives are used for detergent and shampoo. Here, we offer an overview of insect lipids, their extraction methods, and their application in cosmetics and personal care products
Hermetia illucens-Derived Chitosan: A Promising Immunomodulatory Agent for Applications in Biomedical Fields
No full textChitosan, renowned for its important biological properties, is a valuable pharmaceutical excipient for different therapeutic approaches. Currently, the demand for the biopolymer on the market is growing, and, for this reason, it is important to biologically characterize the biopolymer produced from an alternative source to crustaceans, specifically the bioconverter insect Hermetia illucens. In this work, insect chitosan, yielded via heterogeneous and homogeneous deacetylation from larvae, pupal exuviae, and adults, was studied as an immunomodulatory agent. The inflammatory response of immortalized human keratinocyte cells was induced by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide. After that, the ability of the biopolymer to reduce the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-1α, and TNF-α was tested after 6 and 24 h of treatment. Insect chitosan samples effectively downregulated cytokine expression, with improved activity obtained from heterogeneous chitosan treatments
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