Chemical Characterization of Some Fruits and Vegetables Used as Substrates for the Production of Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Abstract

Black soldier fly larvae feed on different organic materials. The nutritional composition of these larvae depends on the feeding substrate. The objective of this study is to determine the composition of macronutrients and micronutrients of fruits and vegetables used as substrate for the production of larvae. To do this, various fruits and vegetables were obtained from fruit and vegetable retailers of Carena in the commune of Plateau (Abidjan). These are the releases of sweet banana, watermelon, avocado, cucumber, papaya and orange. They were packed in a cooler, closed and transported to the experiment site. Samples of these fruits and vegetables were taken and chemically analyzed. It was determined metabolizable energy, the content of moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, cellulose, ash, minerals (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and magnesium) and vitamin C. The results showed that sweet banana and watermelon are rich in protein respectively 2.20% ± 0.00 and 1.93% ± 0.00. The sweet banana is also rich in ash (4.80% ± 0.00) and mineral elements such as sodium (17.35 mg ± 3.68) and magnesium (30.8 mg ± 4.40). Avocado is energetic (161 ± 1.02 kcal). It is rich in fat (43.5% ± 0.01), potassium (339 mg ± 22.3) and phosphorus (52 mg ± 3.02). Orange and papaya are rich in vitamin C respectively 70 mg ± 3.00 and 64 mg ± 2.00. Watermelon and cucumber have a high water respectively 93.91% ± 1.00 and 91.4% ± 1.01. The have also a high cellulose content respectively 11.41% ± 0.01 and 11.1% ± 0.01. This study has shown that the fruits and vegetables used are excellent substrates. They are rich in macronutrients and micronutrients useful for the growth of black soldier fly larvae.