Kristyna Davidova
Master Thesis - Environmental Engineering - 2020
With a growing population in the world, overall food consumption is also growing. If no new technologies are developed in the feed sector, it could have some severe consequences such as poverty, hunger, a decrease in human health, climate change, depletion of water resources, and land degradation. One of the new technologies, which is still studied, is the substitution of plant protein with insect protein in animal feeding. Insects are feeding on manure, food waste, or abattoir waste. The insects have a lower impact on the environment than protein-based plant cultivation.
One of the insects which are rich in protein and fat is called Black Soldier Fly. This study is based on the knowledge and reviews of the BSF larvae, which reduce the biowaste as their source of feed. The rearing of BSF larvae is still under development and studies. However, it has a tremendous potential to produce protein-based larvae meal, which can substitute the protein-based plants in animal feed.
The results from the impact assessment showed that the BSF treatment facility is the best solution at the production of protein-based substitution in animal feed. However, the results from oil production also showed that BSFL oil is a better choice compared to other oils. Finally, the residue composting at the BSF treatment facility has the lowest impact on the environment.