Oxidative Stress Response of Black Soldier Flies Fed a Mixed Cake of Coffee and Fruit Waste

Abstract

The worldwide elevation in population and consumption has exacerbated the issue of sustainable agricultural waste management, mainly for fruit and coffee waste. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is gaining responsiveness as a valued bioconversion agent for waste management, accomplished by producing multiple derived products. This study investigates the influence of a mixed cake composed of Coffee Grounds (CW) and Fruit Waste (FW) on the oxidative stress levels in fifth-instar black soldier fly larvae. The results showed an elevation pattern in the insect's crude protein and superoxide anion radicals in those fed the FW-CW mixed cake, with a fold increase of +9x and +1.1x, respectively. Lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative damage, decreased significantly in the insects fed FW-CW mixed cake and FW only compared to the control group, with reductions of -17 and -14%, respectively. The outcomes will give a clear understanding of the mechanistic actions of H. illucens in the recycling of mixed waste streams without causing excessive oxidative stress. This knowledge will have significant implications for BSF-derived industries, such as animal feed, compost, and biodiesel production.