Bioconversion of oil palm empty fruit bunch and kernel meal by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as an alternative protein and fat sources

Indonesia obtains significant financial benefits from palm oil. However, the industry has yet to find the optimum and beneficial biomass treatment process. The polyphagous black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) may help with the conversion of oil palm biomass. This study investigates whether BSF larvae can transform oil palm biomass into protein and fat. The (High EFB Low PKM) HELP and (Low EFB High PKM) LEHP groups alternated between formulations for 20 days. The larval groups fed LEHP and HELP had the lowest FCR of 4.35 and the lowest mortality rate of 10 %. This group retains more protein (50.04 %) and fat (48.1 %) at the end of the life cycle. LEHP and HELP had the highest fat content on day 16 at 50 %. Day 14 protein accumulation was highest in the LEHP-HELP group at 51.47 %. This study shows that oil palm biomass-fed BSF produces valuable and specific protein and lipids.