Effects of aflatoxin B on metabolism- and immunity-related gene expression in Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae).

Contamination of food products with mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B (AFB) poses a severe risk to human health. Larvae of the black soldier fly (BSFL), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), can successfully metabolize AFB without any negative consequences on their survival or growth. Organic waste streams contaminated with mycotoxins can be upcycled into protein-rich BSFL as an alternative feed for livestock and the left-over feed residue into nutrient-rich crop fertilizers.

Feeding study for the mycotoxin zearalenone in yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae-investigation of biological impact and metabolic conversion.

Edible insects as additional food and/or feed source may represent one important component to solve the problem of food security for a growing human population. Especially for covering the rising demand for protein of animal origin, seven insect species currently allowed as feed constituents in the European Union are gaining more interest. However, before considering insects such as yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) as suitable for, e.