BACKGROUND: The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is one of the most promising insect species for use in animal feed. However, studies investigating feed and food safety aspects of using black soldier fly as feed are scarce. In this study, we fed black soldier fly larvae feeding media enriched with seaweed, which contains naturally high concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential transfer of such undesirable substances from the feeding media to the larvae. RESULTS: The larvae accumulated cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic. Concentrations of these elements in the larvae increased when more seaweed was added to the feeding media. The highest retention was seen for cadmium (up to 93%) and the lowest for total arsenic (up to 22%). When seaweed inclusion exceeded 20% in the media, this resulted in larval concentrations of cadmium and total arsenic above the current European Union maximum levels for these elements in complete feed. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that insect larvae can accumulate heavy metals and arsenic when present in the feeding media. A broader understanding of the occurrence of these undesirable substances in processed larvae products is needed to assess feed and food safety.
BACKGROUND: The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is one of the most promising insect species for use in animal feed. However, studies investigating feed and food safety aspects of using black soldier fly as feed are scarce. In this study, we fed black soldier fly larvae feeding media enriched with seaweed, which contains naturally high concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential transfer of such undesirable substances from the feeding media to the larvae. RESULTS: The larvae accumulated cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic. Concentrations of these elements in the larvae increased when more seaweed was added to the feeding media. The highest retention was seen for cadmium (up to 93%) and the lowest for total arsenic (up to 22%). When seaweed inclusion exceeded 20% in the media, this resulted in larval concentrations of cadmium and total arsenic above the current European Union maximum levels for these elements in complete feed. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that insect larvae can accumulate heavy metals and arsenic when present in the feeding media. A broader understanding of the occurrence of these undesirable substances in processed larvae products is needed to assess feed and food safety.
Authors: Ivana Lepen Pleić; Ivana Bušelić; Maria Messina; Jerko Hrabar; Luka Žuvić; Igor Talijančić; Iva Žužul; Tina Pavelin; Ivana Anđelić; Jelka Pleadin; Jasna Puizina; Leon Grubišić; Emilio Tibaldi; Tanja Šegvić-Bubić Journal: J Anim Sci Biotechnol Date: 2022-07-11
Authors: Silvia Arnone; Massimiliano De Mei; Francesco Petrazzuolo; Sergio Musmeci; Lorenzo Tonelli; Andrea Salvicchi; Francesco Defilippo; Michele Curatolo; Paolo Bonilauri Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2022-04-27 Impact factor: 5.190
Authors: Cristina Truzzi; Anna Annibaldi; Federico Girolametti; Leonardo Giovannini; Paola Riolo; Sara Ruschioni; Ike Olivotto; Silvia Illuminati Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-23 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Byeonghyeon Kim; Hye Ran Kim; Seul Lee; Youl-Chang Baek; Jin Young Jeong; Han Tae Bang; Sang Yun Ji; Seol Hwa Park Journal: Animals (Basel) Date: 2021-03-02 Impact factor: 2.752