Evaluation of the Physical Characteristics and Chemical Properties of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae as a Potential Protein Source for Poultry Feed

SIMPLE SUMMARY: There is a growing awareness of and increasing demand for products of animal origin that are sustainably produced in response to environmental concerns within the animal agriculture industry. This awareness has led to significant demand for alternative protein sources that are less reliant on conventional feed ingredients. In this context, insect meals represent a novel type of feed material that has been suggested as one of the possible alternatives that might solve this problem. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are considered a sustainable protein source that is rich in nutrients. They are produced in an environmentally sustainable way that reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional protein sources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of BSFL with and without fat by using different drying methods. The results show that the various types of BSFL, drying methods, and their interactions influenced the physico-chemical composition of the feed. The presented data show that BSFL could be considered for use in poultry feed instead of conventional protein. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of different drying methods on the physical and chemical properties of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to determine their potential as an alternative protein source in animal feed. The experimental design was a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (BSFL type × drying method), with five replications. The influence of post-harvest procedures was studied, including the different BSFL types (non-defatted and defatted) and drying methods (parabola dome, hot air oven, and microwave). The results showed that the types of BSFL, drying methods, and their interaction significantly (p < 0.001) influenced the feed’s physical properties; these included the brightness of color (L* 29.74–54.07; a* 0.40–5.95; b* 9.04–25.57), medium bulk density (381.54–494.58 g/L), free flow with an angle of repose (41.30–45.40°), and small particle size. They significantly (p < 0.001) influenced the nutritive value of BSFL, which contained 42–59% crude protein, 7–14% crude fiber, 9–30% ether extract, and 5035–5861 kcal/kg of energy. Overall, both BSFL types and all the drying methods resulted in a slight variation in the proximate composition. However, a microwave and a hot-air oven were considered the most suitable methods for producing BSFL powder because of the high levels of nutrients retained and the improved physical parameters when compared to a parabola dome. This characterization of the physical and chemical composition of BSFL represents a preliminary methodology that could be used to initially preprocess larvae for use as an alternative protein source in animal feed and for other applications.