Relationship of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) gut microbiota and bioconversion efficiency with properties of substrates

Treating food waste using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) is widely regarded as a promising nature -based measure. This study explored the influence of food waste particle sizes on substrate properties and its subsequent effects on bioconversion efficiency and gut microbiota. The results indicated that particle sizes mainly ranging from 4 mm to 10 mm (T1) significantly increased the weight loss rate of food waste by 35 % and larval biomass by 38 % compared to those in T4 (particle sizes mostly less than 2 mm) and promoted the bioconversion of carbon and nitrogen into larvae and gases. Investigation of substrates properties indicated that the final pH value of T1 was 7.79 +/- 0.10, with Anaerococcus as the predominant substrate microorganism (relative abundance: 57.4 %), while T4 exhibited a final pH value of 5.71 +/- 0.24, with Lactobacillus as the dominant microorganism (relative abundance: 95.2 %). Correlation analysis between substrate chemical properties and microbial community structure unveiled a strong relationship between substrate pH and the relative abundance of Anaerococcus and Lactobacillus . Furthermore, beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacillus and Enterococcus colonized the BSFL gut of T1, while pathogenic bacterium Morganella , detrimental to BSFL gut function, was enriched in T4 (relative abundance: 60.9 %). Nevertheless, PCA analysis indicated that alterations in the gut microbial community structure may not be attributed to the substrate microorganisms. This study establishes particle size as a crucial parameter for BSFL bioconversion and advances understanding of the relationship between gut microbiota and substrate microbiota.