Jurnal Kejuruteraan 33(4) 2021: 837-843

https://doi.org/10.17576/jkukm-2021-33(4)-06

Composting Fruit and Vegetable Waste Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Irfana Kabir Ahmad*, aZawawi Samba Mohamed, aNur Fardilla Amrul, aChong Wai Quan, bNurul Ain Abdul Jalil, aNoor Ezlin Ahmad Basri,
a

a
Mohd Reza Azmi

a
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
b
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Received 12 October 2020, Received in revised form 21 December 2020

Accepted 30 January 2021, Available online 30 November 2021

ABSTRACT

In recent years, the amount of solid waste generated has been increasing, and larger land space is needed for the
disposal of the generated waste. One of the ways to deal with the limited landfill space is by composting organic waste
using black soldier fly larvae. This study aims to determine the percentage of BSFL growth and to assess the effectiveness
of using BSFL in composting fruits, boiled vegetables, and raw vegetables. The waste used in this study was collected
from the college cafeteria and sorted into three waste categories, and 100g of each waste category was placed in
different containers. Two different sets of experiments were carried out using an initial weight of 2g and 4g of BSFL.
Within 17-days experiment, the weight of BSFL and composted waste were measured every three or four days, also an
additional 100g of new waste was added to the containers until the amount of waste reached a total of 500g. The BSFL
fed with the fruit waste has the highest growth percentage of 1700% relative to their initial weight of 2g. The BSFL with
a higher initial density of 4g showed a lower percentage growth of 1200%. Fruit waste showed the highest percentage
of weight reduction of 57%. This study has proven that fruit waste is a more suitable medium for larval growth compared
to vegetable waste. The use of BSFL in organic waste composting is an effective method for reducing the amount of
wastes disposed of in landfills.

Keywords: Black soldier fly larvae; composting; waste reduction; organic waste management

INTRODUCTION (2012) has shown that municipal waste consists of 45% of

food waste, 24% plastic products, 7% paper, 6% metal, 3%
glass, and 15% of other types of waste. The statistics from
The demand for a better standard of living as the population
Solid Waste Corporation of Malaysia (SWCorp) showed
of a country increases has resulted in the generation of a
that 15,000 tonnes of food are wasted daily, including 3,000
higher amount of solid waste. The world population is
tonnes of foods that are still fit for consumption and should
expected to increase rapidly, and this will exacerbate the
not have been discarded (Darshan 2016). The research by
problem of solid waste generation. With each person
the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development
generating about 0.74 kg of waste per day, the global waste
Institute found that between 20 to 50% of the 15,000 tonnes
generation is expected to increase from 2 billion tonnes in
of food waste generated daily by Malaysians are fruit and
2016 to 3.4 billion tonnes in 2050 (Kaza et al. 2018). A
vegetable waste (Ram 2016).
study by Jabatan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal Negara (JPSPN)
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TABLE 1. Solid waste disposal sites in Malaysia Composting is a more efficient method of waste
State Operating Landfill Closed Landfill management than landfilling as it manages solid waste more
Johor 13 24 efficiently while reducing pollution. In Malaysia, the
Kedah 7 8 composting of food waste is an effective solution for landfills
Kelantan 11 8
that have reached their capacity (Kadir 2016). Composting
is an effective method for treating organic waste under
Melaka 1 7
certain conditions. The performance of composting can be
Negeri Sembilan 6 14
improved through the conversion of organic refuse using
Pahang 14 18
Saprophages (CORS) system by feeding organic waste to
Perak 17 13 organisms (saprophages) that specialize in decomposing
Perlis 1 1 decaying matter. The well-known application of CORS is
Pulau Pinang 2 1 vermicomposting, where organic waste is converted into
Sabah 19 2 nutrient-rich humus by worms and microorganisms (Diener
Sarawak 49 14 et al. 2009).
Selangor 8 14 The larvae of Hermetia illucens, also known as the black
Terengganu 9 11 soldier fly (BSF), have been used as organic waste converters.
BSF is a common fly of the Stratiomyidae family. It is native
Wilayah Persekutuan 1 10
to South America but is found throughout the tropical and
158 145
Total warm temperate regions (Nyakeri et al. 2017). The life cycle
303
of BSF consists of four developmental stages, egg, larva,
Source: JPSPN 2016
pupa, and adult. The life cycle of BSF is influenced by
Table 1 shows the solid waste disposal sites in Malaysia different factors, including population (wild or domesticated)
in 2016. There were 303 landfills in Malaysia, including 158 and the environment (temperature, humidity, light intensity,
landfills that are still operating. Only 14 of the landfill sites and the quality and quantity of the available food (Domenico
are sanitary landfills that safely decompose waste and et al. 2013). Female BSF produces about 500-900 eggs in
prevent the hazard from the accumulation of waste that her short life span of 5 to 8 days compared to the housefly
releases gases and leachate into the environment (JPSPN adults that can live up to 30 days and actively spread diseases
2016). A total of 145 landfills have reached their capacity while looking for food during their life span. BSF adults are
and have been closed. Based on Table 1, Sarawak has the considered non-pathogenic as they do not feed (Diener et
highest number of landfill sites (63), because of the vast land al. 2009; Banks et al. 2014). Researchers found that BSF
area of the state (Johari et al. 2014). Given that most larva can hinder the transmission of house flies and reduce
l=andfills have almost reached their capacity, more landfill harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella enterica by
spaces are needed for the disposal of solid waste. The lack secreting harmful bactericidal compounds. Because of this,
BSF farming on an industrial scale does not cause the
of landfill sites has resulted in illegal dumping sites. A large
amount of solid waste is dumped next to rivers, produced transmission of diseases (Lalander et al. 2015).
BSFL feed voraciously on a wide variety of organic
leachate and this has caused environmental problems. The
decomposition of organic waste releases methane and carbon waste such as manure, rice straw, food waste, distillers’
dioxide, which contribute to climate change (Cogut 2016). grains, fecal sludge, animal offal, and kitchen waste; reduced
The unhygienic condition at landfill sites encourages the weight by at least 50%, produce a residue known as frass,
breeding of vermin, flies, and rodent vectors that can spread which can be used as compost that contains nutrients such
diseases such as cholera and malaria in the community as phosphorus (60% to 70%) and nitrogen (30% to 50%).
(Chowdhury et al. 2017). Besides, JPSPN (2013) estimated Meanwhile, BSFL is a particularly suitable feed for poultry
that the cost of constructing and operating a landfill site in and fishes as it contains approximately 40% protein and 35%
Malaysia is RM 30 million or about RM 28.80 – RM 49.00 fat in a dry matter (Yu & Matan 2017; Moula 2018). Because
per tonne of solid waste. The high cost of managing organic of the high nutrient content of the BSFL, they can be used
wastes means that there is a need to avoid sending the waste as a basis for a highly promising technology to sustain a
to landfill sites (Ayeleru 2016). Given the urgency to deal circular economy, which is an economic system that does
with these problems, researchers are trying to discover not produce waste and reduce the consumption of raw
processes and technologies to deal with the problems in solid materials and energy. This study aims to determine the
waste management. The primary aim of waste management growth rate of BSFL and study the effectiveness of
is to reduce the amount of waste generated, to reduce the composting fruit and vegetable waste using BSFL.
disposal cost as well as the impacts on the environment and
human health (Agamuthu et al. 2009).
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METHODOLOGY

BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVA

The experiments were conducted from 22 February 2019

to 11 March 2019 at the Environmental Laboratory 2 in
the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The six-day-old BSFL used in the experiment was provided
by a supplier from Bangi Golf Resort, Bangi. The larvae
were kept in an inert material at room temperature for one
day to prevent them from gaining weight before beginning FIGURE 1. Electronic Balances with 0.0001g and 0.1g accuracy
the experiments. The duration of the experiments is about
17 days and ended before the larvae reach the prepupae The container for BSFL composting is around a 3L
stage. A discussion was held to determine the most suitable container with a lid. The lid has large holes that are covered
location for the growth of BSFL to ensure that the with a thin piece of cloth to provide ventilation for the
experiments run smoothly and successfully. The primary larvae. The containers were labeled, and the fruit and
concern in the experiments is the growth conditions of vegetable waste was added into the containers, followed
BSFL, and the growth of the larvae was recorded every by the BSFL. The plastic containers were closed with the
day during the duration of the experiments to ensure that lid throughout the experiment to prevent the BSFL from
the larvae can decompose the waste. escaping and to prevent the BSFL from being eaten by the
other animals or insects.
WASTE COLLECTION
EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE
Fruit and vegetable waste are defined as the parts not used
during food preparation and are thrown in the refuse bin. Three containers were labeled for fruits, raw vegetables,
The fruit and vegetable waste collected from local traditional or boiled vegetables. The weight of the empty containers
markets and cafeterias in UKM are papaya, banana, was measured and recorded. Each type of waste in the
pineapple, apple, cucumber, vegetable salad, tomato, and amount of 100g was added into the plastic containers,
cabbage that are disposed of after one or two days. The waste followed by 2g of larvae. Every 3 or 4 days, all larvae were
used in this study is divided into three categories, fruits, raw taken out of the containers, and the weight of ten random
vegetables, and boiled vegetables, to compare the larvae was measured and recorded. The weight of the
consumption rate by the BSFL and the growth of the BFSL. containers containing residual waste was measured and
The waste was separated at the source and placed in different recorded. The residual waste was also discarded, and 100g
containers. The waste samples were fed to two larvae groups of fresh waste was added to each plastic container. The
with an initial weight of 2g and 4g. larvae were then returned to the containers. The total waste
added to each container was 500g. The duration of the
EXPERIMENT EQUIPMENT experiment was 17 days where this experiment ended
before the larvae reached the prepupae stage. The
The waste and larvae were weighed using an electronic experiment was repeated by using 4g of larvae to determine
balance. There are two types of electronic balances in the the effect of larval density on waste reduction during the
laboratory. One electronic balance has an accuracy of up decomposition process.
to 0.1g and was used to weigh the waste and larvae in each
container; the second balance has an accuracy of up to DATA ANALYSIS
0.0001g and was used to measure a small mass such as the
weight of 10 larvae. Figure 1 shows the electronic balances In this study, the critical parameters for determining waste
used in this study. reduction efficiency are larval weight and residual weight.
The percentage of BSFL growth, G, is given by Equation (1),
840

substrates in their study. The results showed that the weight

[1] of the larvae fed with fruit and vegetable waste is higher
than the weight of the larvae fed with fruit waste. The
where B was the weight of BSFL at time t, and T was the balanced nutrient in the mixture substrates helps the BSFL
weight of BSFL after time t. to utilize the available nutrients to a higher degree
The waste reduction rate, D, is given by Equation (2), (Lalander et al. 2018). In the present study, the fruit waste
(papaya, banana, pineapple, and apple) may have a higher
[2] nutrient content compared to the vegetable waste
(cucumber, salad, tomato, and cabbage), and thus contribute
to the higher percentage growth of the larvae. It is proven
where W was the weight of waste used at time t, and R was by Singh & Kumari (2019) that highlighted the comparison
the residue after time t. of larval nutrient composition based on their feeding
sources. Larvae fed on fruit waste had 37.8% of crude
protein and 41.7% of fats. Meanwhile, larvae fed on
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
vegetable waste had slightly higher of crude protein
(39.9%) but lower fats (37.1%) compared to fruit waste.
GROWTH OF BSFL Besides, vegetables have a high fiber content that cannot
be easily digested, thus less favored by larvae (Nyakeri
The weight of the larvae was measured every three days, 2017).
except on the first and last day of the experiment, to Figure 3 shows the percentage of BSFL growth in the
determine the growth of BSFL and identify the most suitable experiment using 4g of larvae. The pattern of the graph is
rearing substrate. The average initial weight for ten larvae almost similar to that in Figure 2. Even though the slope
in each container is between 0.080g to 0.090g. Figure 2 of each line in the graph is identical, it is apparent that the
shows the rate of BSFL growth for the experiment using growth of larvae is much slower and that the larvae can
2g of larvae, and Figure 3 shows the rate of BSFL growth grow up to only 1200% of its initial weight. The result
for the experiment using 4g of larvae. The figures show indicates that the larvae density affects their growth since
there is a small difference in the weight of the larvae on the larvae tend to aggregate and compete for food and, as
the fourth day, and the difference in larval weight is greater a result, may not get as much food as they need (Parra Paz
on the seventh day and the following next few days. The et al. 2015).
daily increase in larvae weight is an indication that the
larvae were growing every day.
Figure 2 shows that the larvae fed with fruit waste
recorded a 1700% growth, which is significantly higher
than the growth of the larvae fed with vegetable waste. The
weight of the larvae fed with raw vegetable waste and
boiled vegetable waste remained almost unchanged
throughout the experiment. At the end of the experiment,
the larvae fed with vegetable waste showed an increase of
400-600% of their initial weight. The weight of the larvae
fed boiled vegetable waste is slightly higher than the larvae
fed raw vegetable waste since boiling vegetable can make
the cell walls less rigid, which makes it easier to absorb
certain nutrients and digest better (Brookshier 2018). The
results for the 17-day experiment indicate that the larvae
that fed on fruit waste grow rapidly compared to those fed
vegetable waste.
Meneguz et al. (2018) used a mixture of fruit and
vegetable wastes and a mixture of fruit waste as rearing FIGURE 2. Growth percentage of BSFL when using 2g of larva
 841

FIGURE 4. Waste reduction when using 2g of larva

FIGURE 3. Growth percentage of BSFL when using 4g of larva

EFFECTIVENESS OF BSFL IN COMPOSTING

The residual weight of fruit and vegetable waste indicates

the effectiveness of composting using BSFL. A total of 500g
of waste was added to each container during the 17-day
experiment. Figure 4 shows the waste reduction when using
2g of larvae as the initial weight, and Figure 5 shows the
waste reduction when using 4g of larvae. The figures show
that the change in the weight of the waste composted by
the larvae is almost the same at the start of the experiment
until the fourth day and the difference in the compost
weight became very apparent after seven days.
Figure 4 shows that the container with fruit waste has
the highest waste reduction of 57% (285g) of the total
amount of 500g. The waste reduction of boiled and raw FIGURE 5. Waste reduction when using 4g of larva
vegetable waste is 49% and 32%, respectively. Meanwhile,
Figure 5 shows boiled vegetable waste has the highest
waste reduction (57%), followed by fruit waste (55%) and CONCLUSION
raw vegetable waste which has the lowest waste reduction
(36%). The waste reduction of boiled vegetables is higher
The composting of organic waste using BSFL is highly
than raw vegetables because thermal treatment by boiling
recommended in all areas, including residential areas and
makes vegetables easily digest as the cell walls become
universities, due to the large amount of organic waste
less rigid and increase the decomposition rate that caused
generated daily. The findings of the present study showed
the higher weight has been reduced (Wieczorek & Jelen
that BSFL is suitable to use as an agent for composting
2019; Brookshier 2018). The waste reduction percentages
because the larvae feed voraciously on rich organic waste,
from both figures are not much different. These results are
and this has resulted in a significant reduction in the amount
contrast to the results obtained by Parra Paz et al. (2015)
of waste. The larvae fed with fruit waste showed the highest
that showed a higher waste reduction with a higher number
percentage of larval growth, followed by the larvae fed
of larvae per gram of substrate. However, this present study
with boiled vegetable waste and raw vegetable waste. The
concludes that the number of larvae used affects larval
waste reduction of fruit waste is the highest compared to
growth but has no impact on the waste reduction rate.
842

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
domestication and production of diptera black
soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia Illucens, Stratiomyidae.
The authors would like to thank Universiti Kebangsaan PT Penerbit IPB Press, Kampus IPB Taman Kencana
Malaysia for providing financial support under Grant LRGS Bogor.
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