Investigation of in vitro and in vivo digestibility of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae protein

In this work, the in vitro and in vivo digestibility of the dried and low-fat black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens L.) larvae was carried out. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the digestibility of the dried larvae protein was only 48%. Meanwhile, the protein digestibility of the defatted larvae biomass reached 75%. Based on these findings, the experimental feeds were composed: (a) control feed containing casein, (b) test feed containing defatted larvae biomass and (c) protein-free feed. For protein digestibility studies, experimental feeds were tested in vitro and in vivo. It was found that digestibility of larvae protein in vivo and in vitro reached 85% and 41% respectively. The DIAAS value (73%) for BSF larvae protein digestibility in vivo was determined for the first time. The obtained results suggest that larvae possess an easy digestible AA, therefore, they can be used as highly bioavailable protein source for human nutrition.