Hyderabad, Nov. 11: Researchers at BITS Pilani Hyderabad have developed a low-cost system that converts food waste into protein-rich animal feed using black soldier fly larvae.
The technology offers an efficient approach to organic waste management. It uses the natural waste-consuming ability of black soldier fly larvae to produce nutrient-rich biomass.
Assistant Professor Sankar Ganesh Palani from the Department of Biological Sciences developed the system with research graduate Dr. Atun Roy Choudhury.
According to the researchers, the larvae consume vegetable, fruit and cooked food waste. They convert the organic material into biomass within approximately two weeks, compared with the weeks or months required for composting.
BITS Hyderabad | Black Soldier Fly System Produces 2 Kg of Larvae Daily
The system uses materials readily available at hardware shops. It consists of an egg-laying and hatching vessel connected to a harvesting bucket.
A 7 cm to 8 cm layer of coconut coir and sand filters the leachate. The filtered liquid is recirculated to maintain moisture levels between 50 and 60 per cent.
This process also helps mature larvae move into the harvesting bucket, reducing manual handling.
During initial trials, researchers recorded a yield of approximately 2 kg of larvae daily over 20 days.
The system costs around Rs 2,500 per unit. Its compact design makes it suitable for limited spaces. Additionally, its enclosed structure helps address unpleasant odour, a common concern in on-site organic waste processing.
Dr. Choudhury said black soldier flies are harmless insects. Their larvae consume vegetable and fruit waste, cooked food and manure.
He explained that the larvae convert waste into body mass efficiently during their two-week feeding stage.
The larvae contain approximately 20 per cent protein and 25 per cent fat. Therefore, they could serve as an alternative feed ingredient for poultry, pig farming and aquaculture.
The remaining organic material, known as frass, could also be used as a soil amendment.
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