Black Soldier Flies are a tropical species that thrive in warm, humid air and intense sunlight conditions that are required for efficient, consistent egg-production and larval growth. Instead of replicating these conditions in expensive, energy-intensive warehouses, we leverage the natural climate in Southeast Asia to maximise the production efficiency and minimise the energy required to manufacture our products.
Innovative solution for plant pathogens
Harnessing decomposition ecology with black soldier flies to support soil’s natural processes
January 2024
Despite being a product of decomposition processes, healthy soil is never dirty, but it can be unclean. With natural processes at the core of their approach, biotech company Nutrition Technologies has found a way to intervene against
plant pathogens that commonly threaten agricultural soils...
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The Crucial Nexus Between Soil Health and Food Security in the Tropics
World Soil Day
December 2023
World Soil Day, observed on December 5th annually, directs attention to the pivotal role soil plays in sustaining life. This year's emphasis on the link between soil health, water and food security is particularly pertinent, with a specific importance in the tropics—a region vital to the global food supply chain, but grappling with unique challenges.
Tropical soils face specific challenges, including erosion, nutrient loss, and susceptibility to degradation. Anthropogenic activities, such as intensive agriculture and deforestation, amplify these issues. In response, biofertilizers provide a promising avenue for mitigating soil degradation by fostering a more sustainable approach to soil management.
Biofertilizers, enriched with beneficial microorganisms, contribute to improving soil fertility and structure. These microorganisms play a vital role in enhancing nutrient availability for plants. In the tropics, where high rainfall and subsequent nutrient leaching are common, the use of biofertilizers becomes a pragmatic strategy to restore and maintain soil health. The incorporation of organic matter into the soil not only improves its structure but also aids in water retention, addressing challenges posed by erratic rainfall patterns and droughts in tropical regions.
Research and development efforts focusing on the specific needs of tropical soils ensure the effectiveness of biofertilizers in diverse agricultural landscapes. As knowledge-sharing becomes paramount, initiatives to educate farmers about the benefits of biofertilizers and sustainable practices contribute to building resilience at both the industrial and the grassroots level.
Beyond their immediate impact on soil health, biofertilizers play a role in climate change mitigation. By fostering healthy soils that act as carbon sinks, these products align with broader global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the tropics, where deforestation and land-use changes contribute significantly to carbon emissions, the role of biofertilizers becomes integral to preserving and restoring soil health.
World Soil Day 2023 is an opportunity to recognize the multifaceted contribution of biofertilizers
Rather than viewing them solely as a product, they represent a sustainable approach to agriculture—one that prioritizes soil health, empowers local communities, and aligns with broader environmental goals. As we celebrate this day, let us acknowledge the potential opportunities presented by biofertilizers in fostering a resilient and sustainable future for tropical soils and the global agricultural landscape.
Animal Health
Tropical insect meal as a solution to the fishmeal shortage
November 2023
As an insectmeal producer, the article resonates deeply with the principles and practices that guide our industry. The recognition of the challenges posed by overfishing and the subsequent depletion of marine resources underscores the urgency for sustainable alternatives, and insect meal has been proven time and again to be a promising solution.
Insect meal offers a rich source of protein and essential nutrients for aquafeed while addressing the environmental concerns associated with traditional feed ingredients. Recognising the efficiency of insect meal production in terms of resource utilization, insects have a remarkable ability to convert organic waste into high-quality protein.
This aspect aligns with our commitment to creating a circular and sustainable system within the aquaculture industry. In addition to the sustainability aspect of insects as a fishmeal alternative, the piece appropriately highlights the nutritional benefits of insect meal, emphasizing its potential to meet the dietary needs of farmed fish effectively. Insects, being a natural part of the aquatic food chain, offer a biologically relevant protein source for fish, contributing to their growth and overall health.
Insects as a Sustainable and Biologically Relevant Protein Source
While acknowledging the challenges of widespread adoption, such as consumer perception and regulatory considerations, it emphasizes the need for a diversified approach to aquafeed production. As an insectmeal producer, we are actively involved in addressing these challenges, and are in constant dialogue with the sector. Through ongoing research and collaboration with the aquaculture industry, we are working to optimize our products for palatability, nutritional balance, and cost-effectiveness. We can do this through our low energy/low-cost, tropical production system, and utilizing under-used feed-stocks for our larvae.
The role of Insectmeal as a sustainable Alternatives in Aquafeed
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the fishmeal and fish oil shortage, emphasizing the critical need for sustainable alternatives in aquafeed production. As insectmeal producers, we share the commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of traditional feed sources, whilst supporting the need to supply quality feed ingredients. The spotlight on insect meal as a viable alternative underscores the importance of embracing innovative solutions to ensure the future sustainability of the aquaculture industry.
Sciencing Podcast
Are black soldier flies the future of food?
February 2023
In this episode of The Sciencing Podcast, Faazi is joined by Martin Zorrilla, Chief Technology Officer at Nutrition Technologies, to talk about how the use of insects as nutrient sourced in animal feed can contribute to more sustainable and secure food production.
Animal Health
Nutrition Technologies products found to inhibit common pathogens
August 2021
BSF protein and oil are rich in putative antimicrobials such as antimicrobial peptides (AMP), biopolymers namely chitin in the case of protein, and chemical complexes that could act alone or synergically with fatty acids. Lauric Acid , a C-12 medium chain triglycerides and AMP found in BSF are vital natural and safe ingredients to remedy and prevent diseases in livestock and aquaculture, thus allowing the reduction of antibiotic use. The R&D team at Nutrition Technologies conducted ...
Organic Fertiliser
Anti-phytopathogenic properties of Frass from Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens)
June 2021
The Nutrition Technologies R&D team shared exciting new research findings in the presentation titled: “ Anti-phytopathogenic properties of Frass from Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens).”
The CTO, Martin Zorrilla and Research Scientist Jennifer Eyahmalay presented lab test...
An insider’s overview of the insect industry
More than a Fishmeal replacement
March 2021
Insect-based ingredients have been on most feed industry radars for a few years now, as manufacturers look for new ways to provide novel animal-based protein to diets in an effort to reduce the reliance on fishmeal. Recent successes with consumer-facing products bearing ‘insect fed and similar labels have emboldened farms and supermarkets to invest marketing into targeting higher-end, environmentally conscious shoppers, and the potential for making positive environmental impacts is drawing in investment around the world. But how prepared is the industry to support this demand, and what needs to happen before insect-based ingredients (insect meal and oil) become a staple ingredient for feed formulators around the world?
Microbiome
The origins and composition of the BSFL Microbiome
December 2020
Black Soldier Fly larvae microbiome has become the target of an increasing number of academic journal publications. These papers are always well received by us insect nerds at Nutrition Technologies because BSFL microbial ecology is central to our process and our research....
Scalability
Finding new quality control benchmark for BSF mass rearing facilities
November 2020
Throughout my PhD studies, it was clear that the amount of eggs obtained per generation varies tremendously if parameters such as pupae weight, temperature, and diet are not maintained stable. However I haven’t seen - until now - a study showing a direct impact of pupae weight on pupation rate, weight lost during pupation, egg individual weight, sex ratio, and overall production ...
Reproduction
Adult Reproductive Tract Morphology and Spermatogenesis in the Black Soldier Fly
October 2020
This article from our Technical Director, Dr Aline Malawey, exposes how BSF fertility can be improved through management methods and production design. It emphasises how advanced research is essential and necessary to develop a cutting edge insect industry...
Pets
Dogs and Cats Readily Accept Insect-Based Protein and Oil
May 2019
Dogs love it ! Tasty and healthy Black Soldier Fly protein is a great sustainable alternative to fishmeal that is both hypoallergenic and full of vital nutrients and minerals. The following article show that 20% inclusion of Black Soldier Fly protein meal in dogs' feed led to tremendous results.
Aquafeed
Replacing Fish Meal with Insect Meal in the diet of Atlantic Salmon
October 2019
Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae meal is a great sustainable alternative to fish meal, that not only maintains performance but also provides additional functional benefits. This interesting article shows evidence of new benefits from the use of BSF in the Atlantic Salmon diet. Arsenic levels in Salmon seem to drop substantially with the increase of BSF larvae meal inclusion in their diet.