Can flies help change the world?

Biocycle: Harnessing the remarkable capabilities of black soldier flies

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), if global food waste were a separate nation, it would rank as the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, surpassed only by China and the United States. While 13% of food produced is lost from harvest to retail, approximately 17% of the world's total food production is collectively wasted by households, food services and retail. These figures are concerning, and a company in Namibia is intent on mitigating some of this food loss.

Biocycle uses black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) to break down food in order to produce sustainable and organic feed and fertilizer. Unlike common house flies, black soldier flies do not spread disease, and the hygienic process they undergo creates a safe product. The black soldier fly is native to the Neotropical realm. The species has spread through most of the world in recent decades but is not recognised as a pest because the adult is not attracted to human habitation or foods. Also, they do not bite and are non-invasive.

The process begins with flies mating and laying eggs. After an incubation period of two to four days, numerous larvae hatch. These larvae are initially fed a bran mixture for four days until they are large enough to be transferred to the next stage of production.

Plant-based foods that have passed their shelf-life – primarily onions, carrots and cabbage provided by local retailers – are processed through a shredder and then mixed with spent grain from the brewery to create a substrate. Precise amounts of this substrate are added to separate containers, to which a measured quantity of larvae is introduced. For seven days the larvae feed on this substrate and undergo eight moults during this time.

Using a sieve, the larvae are separated from their frass (larvae excrement) after the seven days. They are dried in a special oven to reduce their moisture content, preserving them for up to a year.

A small number of larvae are allowed to go through metamorphosis to become flies. The adult flies mate and lay eggs – the cycle continues.

The primary product is dried larvae, which are rich in proteins, lipids, calcium, minerals, amino acids and lauric acid.

This Namibian company is passionate about transforming food waste into valuable resources.

Applications include a sustainable source of protein for pet food, which also benefits animal health and immune systems due to the amino acids and lauric acid content. Replacing fish meal with black soldier fly larvae meal in sea-water Atlantic salmon diets offers similar advantages, such as improved animal microbiota and enhanced health. This substitution can also lead to an increased immune response and improved survival in fish farming.

BSF larvae and pre-pupae meals effectively enhance the health and performance of laying hens, allowing for the complete replacement of soybean-based feed. Live larvae are also an excellent food source for organically farmed chickens, as the natural protein they consume requires less feed and results in better performance than when on a normal diet.

The mix of frass and chitin-rich exoskeleton is the byproduct and serves as a high-quality organic fertilizer. Frass contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other minerals that are easily absorbed by plants, while chitin enhances a plant’s natural defences against pathogens and stimulates growth.

As Sven Grüttemeyer, the founder of Biocycle, explains, "We are an eco-friendly company that utilises food waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, where it decomposes anaerobically and produces methane gas. We can divert that waste to our facility and significantly reduce methane buildup, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming." Methane emissions have contributed to approximately 30% of the increase in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Reducing methane emissions is crucial for mitigating short-term warming and improving air quality.

Although Biocycle has only been operational for about four months, Sven is enthusiastic about the future. "This process not only creates a valuable product but also helps reduce the formation of one of the biggest greenhouse gases. Additionally, there is no wastage, as even the by-product is used." While he acknowledges that the current market for dried larvae is primarily outside Namibia, the company plans to start selling their Biocycle-branded fertilizer soon.

While it is still early days, Sven is optimistic about the future of Biocycle and hopes to increase production soon. "We are also fortunate to have received partial funding from the Namibian Chamber of Environment, which has offered to sponsor a student from the University of Namibia to conduct further research in this field," he adds.

By harnessing the remarkable capabilities of black soldier flies, this Namibian company is passionate about transforming food waste into valuable resources, benefiting both animal and plant ecosystems. With a commitment to eco-friendliness and a vision for a more sustainable future, Biocycle is poised to make a significant impact on the fight against food waste and its environmental consequences.

For more information visit www.biocycle.com.na.