Isolation of Bacterial and Fungal Microbiota Associated with Hermetia illucens Larvae Reveals Novel Insights into Entomopathogenicity.

ABSTRACT: Larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens are polyphagous feeders and show tremendous bioconversion capabilities of organic matter into high-quality insect biomass. However, the digestion of lignocellulose-rich palm oil side streams such as palm kernel meal (PKM) is a particular challenge, as these compounds are exceptionally stable and are mainly degraded by microbes. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of BSF larvae as bioconversion agents of PKM. Since the intestinal microbiota is considered to play a key role in dietary breakdown and in increasing digestibility, the bacterial and fungal communities of BSF larvae were characterized in a culture-dependent approach and screened for their putative entomopathogenicity. The lethality of six putative candidates was i

SUBMITTER: Kluber P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8878651 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature