Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are considered a commercially viable solution for global organic waste problems. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of rearing BSFL on a wide range of low-value waste streams and its potential to transform them into high-quality animal feed and fertilizer. Six waste streams of different origins were selected and each tested in triplicate. Several parameters were analysed: growth performance, waste reduction index (WRI), conversion efficiency (ECI) and larval composition. Frass composition was also analysed. Larvae reared on fast food waste (FFW) had the highest ECI and WRI and the lowest values when reared on pig manure slurry mixed with silage grass (PMLSG) and slaughter waste (SW). The highest protein content was found for larvae reared on mushroom stems (MS) although this substrate had the lowest protein content. Moreover, the frass nutritional profile was proportionally related to the substrate's nutritional profile: the protein-rich substrate (SW) resulted in protein-rich frass and the low-protein substrate (MS) resulted in protein-poor frass. The same was true for the lipid content. In conclusion, this study showed that BSFL can be successfully reared on a wide range of waste streams that can affect the larval and frass chemical compositions.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects14020204 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major cause of death worldwide, with 1.27 M direct deaths from bacterial drug-resistant infections as of 2019. Dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in the environment, in conjunction with pharmapollution by active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), create and foster an environmental reservoir of AMR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFN Biotechnol
January 2025
Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland.
Microalgae are a diverse group of photosynthetic microorganisms that can be exploited to produce sustainable food and feed products, alleviate environmental pollution, or sequester CO to mitigate climate change, among other uses. To optimize resource use and integrate industrial waste streams, it is essential to consider factors such as the biology and cultivation parameters of the microalgal species and strains, as well as the cultivation system and processing technologies employed. This paper reviews the main commercial applications of microalgae (including cyanobacteria) and examines the biological and biotechnological aspects critical to the sustainable processing of microalgal biomass and its derived compounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
January 2025
Legambiente nazionale APS - RETE ASSOCIATIVA - ETS, via Salaria 403, 00199, Rome, Italy.
This paper presents a preliminary assessment of waste accumulation along riverbanks in Italy, aiming to provide baseline data for future monitoring and management efforts. The study surveyed 18 stations along 16 rivers across different regions of Italy, from north to south, to quantify and characterise the types and abundance of litter present along their banks. Field surveys were conducted by Legambiente citizen scientists applying a standardised protocol to record and categorise litter items systematically.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Res Toxicol
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
The scale of nanoparticle use in consumer goods has grown exponentially over several decades owing to the unique properties of materials in this size range. At the same time, well-defined end of life cycle disposal strategies have not been developed for most materials, meaning that we are approaching the potential for a new ecological disaster with the release of millions of metric tons of nanoparticles into the waste stream. The field of nanotoxicology has grown to meet the challenge of investigating the potential hazards of these materials and has already identified toxicity mechanisms that affect multiple tropes of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Total Environ
January 2025
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas, United States of America. Electronic address:
The increasing global demand for meat and dairy products, fueled by rapid industrialization, has led to the expansion of Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the United States (US). These operations, often found in clusters, generate large amounts of manure, posing a considerable risk to water quality due to the concentrated waste streams they produce. Accurately mapping AFOs is essential for effective environmental and disease management, yet many facilities remain undocumented due to variations in federal and state regulations.
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