• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.181-185
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• 2012

Chymotrypsin serine protease is one of the main digestive proteases in the midgut of and is involved in various essential processes. In a previous study, a gene encoding a chymotrypsin-like protease, Hi-SP1, was cloned from the larvae of Hermetia illucens and characterized. In this study, we produced the recombinant chymotrypsin-like protease Hi-SP1 in Escherichia coli cells. The molecular weight of the recombinant Hi-SP1 was estimated to be approximately 26 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western-blotting. Chymotrypsin activity was detected when AAPF was used as the substrate. Examination of the effects of temperature and pH revealed that the proteolytic activity of recombinant Hi-SP1 decreased markedly at temperatures above $30^{\circ}C$, and the optimum pH was found to be 10.0.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.189-191
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• 2010

The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, has a worldwide distribution in the tropics and warm temperate regions and is active in the Korea from May through October. This species colonize a wide variety of decomposing vegetable and animal matter and oviposits in a variety of decomposing materials. In this study, how the black soldier fly pupation, adult emergence and mating rate changed with season at the artificial rearing system was investigated. The black soldier fly larvae and pupae were reared under laboratory condition ($27^{\circ}C$, 60% R.H.). In this study, under the laboratory condition, pupation and adult emergence were not influenced by season, but the data shows definitely different mating numbers throughout whole year. The time of the day is changed with seasons and it influence to mating on artificial rearing. To culture the black soldier fly throughout the year in Korea needs a more deep study under the artificial rearing system.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 2019

Overuse of antibiotics has significantly contributed to an increase in microbial antibiotic resistance, causing difficulties in the suppression of microbe-borne infectious diseases. In this study, we determined the anti-Klebsiella pneumoniae effect in the kidneys of mice induced by peptides isolated from H. illucens larvae. Mice were intranasally infected with a high dose of K. pneumoniae and 1 day later, peptides were introduced through the intramuscular route. Mice were sacrificed on day 10 upon K. pneumoniae infection to determine the bacterial loads in the kidneys. Mice receiving peptide treatment demonstrated significantly reduced bacterial loads, reduced bodyweight loss, and higher survival in a dose-dependent manner compared to control. These results indicate that peptide isolated from H. illucens larva inhibits K. pneumoniae infection in the kidney. The peptide from H. illucens larva could be a potential candidate for the development of an effective antibacterial drug.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1196-1206
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• 2014

A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed using genomic DNA isolated from the gut microflora of Hermetia illucens, a black soldier fly. A cellulase-positive clone, with the CS10 gene, was identified by extensive Congo-red overlay screenings for cellulase activity from the fosmid library of 92,000 clones. The CS10 gene was composed of a 996 bp DNA sequence encoding the mature protein of 331 amino acids. The deduced amino acids of CS10 showed 72% sequence identity with the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 gene of Dysgonomonas mossii, displaying no significant sequence homology to already known cellulases. The purified CS10 protein presented a single band of cellulase activity with a molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa on the SDS-PAGE gel and zymogram. The purified CS10 protein exhibited optimal activity at $50^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0, and the thermostability and pH stability of CS10 were preserved at the ranges of $20{\sim}50^{\circ}C$ and pH 4.0~10.0. CS10 exhibited little loss of cellulase activity against various chemical reagents such as 10% polar organic solvents, 1% non-ionic detergents, and 0.5 M denaturing agents. Moreover, the substrate specificity and the product patterns by thin-layer chromatography suggested that CS10 is an endo-${\beta}$-1,4-glucanase. From these biochemical properties of CS10, it is expected that the enzyme has the potential for application in industrial processes.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2013

The experiment was conducted to determine the value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and pupae as feed supplements for fresh-water fish (Carassius auratus). Black soldier fly larvae grown on food waste were fed to fresh-water fish, live larvae alone, dried larvae, dried pupae and combination with commercial fish diet. A 16-week feed trial was conducted to determine whether black soldier fly larvae could be used as a feed supplement in fresh-water fish. The growth performance indicated that fish fed the live larvae ranked consistently higher, and in combination with commercial fish diet and dried larvae and pupae were next higher. The finding of this study suggest that black soldier fly larvae and pupae may be valuable feedstuff in commercial fish production.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.387-392
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• 2011

To investigate the molecular scavenging capabilities of the larvae of Hermetia illucens, two serine proteases (SPs) were cloned and characterized. Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic tree analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 were suggested that Hi-SP1 may be a chymotrypsin- and Hi-SP2 may be a trypsin-like protease. Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 3-D homology models revealed that a catalytic triad, three disulfide bonds, and a substrate-binding pocket were highly conserved, as would be expected of a SP. E. coli expressed Hi-SP1 and Hi-SP2 showed chymotrypsin or trypsin activities, respectively. Hi-SP2 mRNAs were consistently expressed during larval development. In contrast, the expression of Hi-SP1 mRNA fluctuated between feeding and molting stages and disappeared at the pupal stages. These expression pattern differences suggest that Hi-SP1 may be a larval specific chymotrypsin-like protease involved with food digestion, while Hi-SP2 may be a trypsin-like protease with diverse functions at different stages.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2017

Under natural conditions, black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), colonizes in warm temperate regions, and is active in Korea from May through October. Information on black soldier fly rearing, which is affected by seasonal factors in Korea, is limited. Oviposition by black soldier flies is dependent on light intensity and wavelength. Therefore, continuous mass rearing of this fly requires determination of optimal artificial conditions of illumination. In this study, we compared the number of eggs laid under an artificial light source (750 watt HPL lamp) versus nature sunlight. Our results showed that compared to oviposition under natural sunlight, the use of one or two lamps for 7 hours, resulted in only 43 and 76%, of the total number of eggs laid under natural sunlight, respectively. We also investigated the hatchability of oviposited eggs under artificial illumination and under natural sunlight. The hatching rate under the former was much significantly lower than under the latter. Further detailed research is required to develop methods for successful mass rearing of black soldier fly throughout the year by means of an indoor system.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.34-40
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• 2023

As agricultural production increases due to population growth, agricultural by-products that are generated at all production stages increase commensurately. Black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) treatment has potential as an environmentally friendly process to combat the environmental pollution caused by agricultural by-products. This study examined the utilization of BSF larvae in the decomposition of the by-products of apples and mandarins, fruits commonly produced in South Korea. The BSF test larvae were fed apple pomace or mandarin waste, and the control larvae were fed calf feed. Larval weight and size were measured at 4-day intervals until larvae reached the pre-pupal stage. Larval development time, survival rate, and BSF fecundity rate were calculated for all three substrates. Waste reduction and bioconversion ratios were also calculated. The developmental time of larvae fed with apple pomace and mandarin waste was greater than that of the control larvae. The average weight of larvae fed with the fruit by-products was less than that of the control. There was no significant difference in the survival rate of BSF larvae or the fecundity rate of BSF between the substrates used in this study. BSF larvae decomposed 48.0% and 61.5% of apple pomace and mandarin waste, respectively. The bioconversion efficiency rates of BSF larvae fed with apple pomace and mandarin waste were 9.1% and 12.1%, respectively. These results indicated that decomposition of single fruit by-products by BSF larvae is an environmentally friendly and effective bioconversion process.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.300-308
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of low fish meal (LFM) diet and black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens meal supplementation in LFM diet as a fish meal (FM) replacer or functional additive for juvenile olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Three LFM diets were prepared to contain 30, 25, and 20% FM, respectively (designated as F30, F25, and F20). Three BSF diets were prepared by adding 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0% BSF in the LFM diets, respectively (designated as F30B2.0, F25B2.5, and F20B3.0). A total of 540 fish (initial mean body weight: 22.3±0.01g) were randomly distributed into 18 tanks (240 L) in triplicate groups and fed the experimental diets twice daily for 12 weeks. Results showed that there were no significant differences in the growth performance, feed utilization and survival among all the groups. Lysozyme activity significantly increased in F30B2.0 and F25B2.5 groups compared to their respective LFM groups. Total immunoglobulin was significantly higher in F30 group than in F20 group. Anti-protease and myeloperoxidase activities were significantly higher in F30B2.0 group than in F20 group. Innate immunity gradually decreased with decreasing FM level in all the groups. BSF supplementation significantly improved immunity compared to their respective LFM diets. Therefore, BSF could be used as an immuno-stimulant supplement in LFM diets for P. olivaceus.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1408-1417
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• 2022

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI) larvae oil (HILO) could serve as an alternative fat source to soybean oil (SBO) in laying hen diets. Methods: We randomly assigned 25-week-old Hy-line Brown laying hens (n = 144) to receive (n = 6 hens/group; eight replicates) a control or an experimental diet in which SBO was replaced with 50% (50HILO) or 100% HILO (100HILO). Results: Dietary HILO did not negatively affect body weight or productive performance during the study. The eggs also had similar quality parameters, proximate composition, and cholesterol levels. However, the yolk color index was significantly higher (p<0.01) in the 100HILO than in the other groups. Dietary HILO significantly altered the composition of fatty acids (FAs) in abdominal fat and eggs. Total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and total polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) were significantly increased and decreased in the 50HILO and 100HILO groups, respectively, compared with those in the control group (p<0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively). Specifically, the medium-chain FAs lauric and myristic acids were remarkably increased in the abdominal fat of laying hens fed HILO (p<0.0001), whereas only myristic acid increased in eggs (p<0.0001). Undesirable heavy metal (aluminum, fluorine, arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium) concentrations were below permissible limits in eggs. Conclusion: We considered that HILO could be an alternative dietary fat to SBO for laying hens with maintained productive performance and good egg quality.