Black Soldier Fly in sustainable systems: A review of waste recycling, protein production and bioeconomy

AbstractThe Black Soldier Fly (BSF), specifically its larvae (BSFL), has offered a significant potential in addressing the global challenges related to organic waste management and sustainable protein production. The present review provided a comprehensive overview of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae (BSFL) as a viable solution to address global issues related to organic waste management and alternative protein production. BSFL have been considered to be highly efficient in converting a wide range of organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass and offered an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional feed ingredients such as fishmeal and soybean meal. With their high protein and lipid content, along with bioactive compounds like antimicrobial peptides and chitin, BSFL have significant potential for use in animal feed, biofertilizers, biofuels and functional foods and pharmaceuticals. The present review explored the wide-ranging applications of BSFL beyond animal nutrition, including in medical and industrial fields. However, challenges such as the need for standardized rearing practices, optimized bioconversion processes and stronger regulatory frameworks have to be addressed. Further research into the bioavailability, functionality and large-scale deployment of BSF-based products has become crucial for unlocking their full potential in sustainable bioresource utilization.