Bioconversion of Horeca (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering) Food Waste into Black Soldier Fly Larvae Oil

Abstract Horeca Food Waste is waste from the hotel, restaurant and catering sectors. The hotel industry generates 0.8-1.2 kg of food waste per guest. A bioconversion process can be used as a technique for treating food waste. The oil content of BSFL constitutes 35-45% of their whole weight. Research must be conducted on the bioconversion of horeca food waste (from hotels, restaurants, and catering) into oil derived from black soldier fly larvae. The study utilised horeca waste bioconversion to investigate environmental parameters, analyse the bioconversion properties of food waste, extract BSF larvae oil by the maceration technique, and evaluate the physicochemical attributes of the obtained oil. The bioconversion qualities of food waste by black soldier fly larvae were assessed by determining the values of D (waste reduction rate), WRI (Waste Reduction Index), FMCR (Fresh Matter Consumption Rate), DMCR (Dry Matter Consumption Rate), DMR (Dry Matter Reduction), and ECD (Efficiency of Conversion Digested feed). The fat content recovered from BSFL was measured at 35.9%, 34.9%, and 24.5%. The oil yield obtained from horeca waste was determined to be 18.9%, 18.3%, and 20.4%. The physicochemical characteristics acquired from the three samples indicated that the water content, iodine, saponification, and refractive index parameters did not meet the specified quality standards. The oil’s fatty acid composition was primarily composed of saturated fatty acids (SFA), with respective values of 66.24%, 72.63%, and 66.89%. BSF larvae oil has potential as an intermediate product for making bio-diesel, bio-lubricants and bio-grease.