23 January 2024 | Antonio Franco, Carmen Scieuzzo, Rosanna Salvia, Valentina Pucciarelli, Luca Borrelli, Nicola Francesco Addeo, Fulvia Bovera, Ambrogio Laginestra, Eric Schmitt, Patrizia Falabella
This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of lipids extracted from *Hermetia illucens* (black soldier fly) larvae reared on different substrates. The larvae were fed on five substrates: Gainesville diet, strawberry, orange, tangerine, and fresh dairy manure. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against *Micrococcus flavus* (Gram-positive) and *Escherichia coli* (Gram-negative). The results showed that lipids extracted from larvae reared on strawberry, tangerine, and fresh dairy manure exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against *M. flavus*, with inhibition zones ranging from 1.38 to 1.51 mm. Only the manure substrate showed antimicrobial activity against *E. coli*. The fatty acid profiles of the larvae lipids were analyzed, and significant differences were found for C4:0, C10:0, C16:1, C18:3 n3 (ALA), and C20:1. The study also found that the fatty acid profile of *H. illucens* was not significantly influenced by the substrate, except for C18:0 and C18:2 CIS n6 (LA). This suggests that other factors, such as rearing conditions and larval development stages, also affect the fatty acid composition of insects. The findings highlight the potential of *H. illucens* lipids as natural antimicrobial agents and the importance of considering the rearing substrate in their production.This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of lipids extracted from *Hermetia illucens* (black soldier fly) larvae reared on different substrates. The larvae were fed on five substrates: Gainesville diet, strawberry, orange, tangerine, and fresh dairy manure. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against *Micrococcus flavus* (Gram-positive) and *Escherichia coli* (Gram-negative). The results showed that lipids extracted from larvae reared on strawberry, tangerine, and fresh dairy manure exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against *M. flavus*, with inhibition zones ranging from 1.38 to 1.51 mm. Only the manure substrate showed antimicrobial activity against *E. coli*. The fatty acid profiles of the larvae lipids were analyzed, and significant differences were found for C4:0, C10:0, C16:1, C18:3 n3 (ALA), and C20:1. The study also found that the fatty acid profile of *H. illucens* was not significantly influenced by the substrate, except for C18:0 and C18:2 CIS n6 (LA). This suggests that other factors, such as rearing conditions and larval development stages, also affect the fatty acid composition of insects. The findings highlight the potential of *H. illucens* lipids as natural antimicrobial agents and the importance of considering the rearing substrate in their production.