Growth of Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae Fed on Spent Coffee Ground

Abstract

Hermetia illucens or Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is one of the bioconversion agents that can convert any kind of organic wastes. In this research, BSF larvae was used as a bioconversion agent on spent coffee ground, the main waste in coffee industry. This study aimed to determine the effect of spent coffee ground as feed on larval growth and the ability of BSF larvae in converting this spent based on ECD (Efficiency of Conversion Digestive) and WRI (Waste Reduction Index). The 7-day old larvae was nourished on spent coffee grounds with different feeding rate (200, 100, 50, 25, dan 12,5 mg/larvae/day). The results showed that larvae with feeding rate at 200 mg/larvae/day had shortest development time (25.6 ± 2.19 days), highest ECD value (5 ± 0.49%), highest pupae biomass (14,8 ± 2,15 mg), highest grow rate (1,41 ± 0,17 mg/day), but low WRI (0,997 ± 0,11). Additional proximate analysis exhibited that pupae contain total protein up to 33,45%. We concluded that BSF larvae has slow growth rate but can convert spent coffee ground.