Amino Acid Profile and Proximate Composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucent) with Two Drying Methods

One of the determinants of animal feed quality is expressed in terms of crude protein content and essential amino acids profile based on dry feed ingredients. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) is an alternative feed protein source that cannot be stored in the fresh form for a long time without drying. Improper drying can reduce the protein and amino acid content of the feed. This study aimed to find the best method for drying BSFL. Two methods of BSFL drying (stove oven and microwave drying) were evaluated. Fifteen days old larvae of BSF were dried either using the stove oven drying method for 75 minutes or using 800 watts microwave drying for 25 minutes. The analysis of the nutrient composition of the samples was carried out by proximate and amino acids analysis. The results showed that the protein content of BSF larvae, were not significantly different between drying treatments, while the amino acid content was higher in the microwave drying than the stove oven drying method. This study concludes that the two drying methods can be used in preserving BSF larvae as a source of dietary protein for farm animals.