EMAN ALAAELDIN ABDELFATTAH
Abstract
Microalgae cultivation offers promises for various applications, including biofuel production, nutrient sequestration, nutraceuticals, and biomass for animal feed. However, large-scale cultivation often generates significant amounts of residual biomass, creating a challenge for sustainable management. Bioprocessing using insect larvae presents a promising solution for converting algal biomass into valuable products. This study investigates the bioprocessing of algae using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. We aimed to explore the efficiency of BSF in converting algal biomass and to evaluate the oxidative parameters of the proteins produced in the bioprocessing chain. The study compared BSF larvae fed on two different diets: fruit waste cake only and fruit waste supplemented with microalgae. We measured various oxidative parameters in the protein extracted from the resulting BSF larvae. The results showed that BSF larvae fed a mixed diet containing algae displayed a 14% increase in protein yield compared to those fed only fruit waste. Additionally, the results demonstrated that larvae fed only fruit waste had higher levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation, indicating oxidative stress and potential protein damage. Microalgae are naturally rich in antioxidants, which likely helped scavenge free radicals and protect protein in larvae fed the mixed diet. The study employed advanced statistical techniques like cluster analysis, general linear models (GLMs), artificial neural networks (ANNs), and radar analysis. These techniques helped to analyze the complex data and confirm the positive impact of microalgae on protein quality. The study concludes that incorporating microalgae into the fruit waste cake diet of BSF larvae can improve the quality of the protein produced. By reducing oxidative damage, the protein may have enhanced stability, shelf life, and potentially improved nutritional value. This research contributes to the development of sustainable protein production methods using bioprocessing of algal biomass and wastes to create more sustainable products.