Use of protein from black soldier flies in fish feed

Publication date: 11/02/2025
Extent: 42 pages

Contributions by: Laura Gasco, University of Torino, Italy; Vlastimil Stejskal and Hung Quang Tran, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Michele Costantini, Michele Zoli and Jacopo Bacenetti, University of Milano, Italy; and Francesco Gai, National Research Council, Italy

Chapter synopsis:

The global population is increasing rapidly, and with it comes a growing demand for food, particularly protein sources. The aquaculture industry, which provides fish for human consumption, is expanding to meet this demand. The aquaculture expansion is not without impacts and constrains. Among them, the feed production is of major concern. Processed animal proteins (PAPs) derived from insect-derived meals has been gaining attraction in recent years because considered as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional protein sources. Among the eight insect-derived PAPs allowed, the black soldier fly – BSF (Hermetia illucens) seems to be one of the most promising. This chapter reviews the potential use of BSF-derived proteins in aquaculture. In particular, the review focus on the effect of BSF larva meal on fish performances and health as well as on economic and environmental parameters.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2024.0139.06