Biodegradation of kitchen waste into organic fertilizer using the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae

The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larva is belived to
be a potential means to degrade organic matter such as food waste and divert the waste
away from landfills. Thus the experiment on biodegradation by composting kitchen waste
into organic fertilizer using the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae was conducted
at AICRP on PHET of Dr P.D.K.V Akola with an objectives to investigate the
decomposition efficiency of the black soldier fly larvae on kitchen waste and obtaining the
organic compost. The experiment had 10 different feeding rates of BSFL were tested
against a common substrate which was kitchen waste. In each container fixed quantity of
kitchen waste was kept i.e. 20 kg and 6 days old larvae of BSF larvae were released in the
proportion of 500 larvae to 5000 larvae as per treatments. 100 gm samples from each
treatment, waste and compost were analyzed for various parameters. The study showed
that by adding 2000 larvae per 20 kg kitchen waste for 22 days in batch feeding, gives a
higher percent Substrate reduction (87.95%), and higher feed consumption (18.57 %). The
study revealed that the % organic carbon, N, P, K were observed within the range of 24.02-
29.56%, 1.35-1.63%, 0.64-0.80% and 1.32-1.49% respectively. Compost obtained from T4
i.e. (2000 larvae per 20 kg kitchen waste) was recorded of best quality compost with
favourable EC, ph, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Although it is cost effective,
short duration procedure but there are certain drawbacks such as unavailability of
sophisticated machinery, skilled labour and establishing optimal humidity, temperature
and mating conditions to facilitate BSF development are also a challenges.