Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Comparison of Methods for Isolating Entomopathogenic Fungi from Soil Samples
Published on: January 6, 2022
Manure pretreatments with black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): A study to reduce pathogen
Mukesh Kumar Awasthi1, Tao Liu1, Sanjeev Kumar Awasthi1
1College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, China.
Abstract:
This study aim was to investigate the influence of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on pathogenic bacteria (PB) survival in the chicken manure (CM), pig manure (PM), cow manure (COM) and sewage sludge (SS) compost. Three kinds of manure [chicken (T2), pig (T4) and cow (T6)] and SS (T8) were inoculated with BSFL (1.2:7 ratio on fresh weight basis) and without BSFL (T1, T3, T5 and T7) was used as control and experiment lasted for 9 days. The results indicated that BSFL amendment 90-93% of PB abundances (RAs) was significantly mitigate in CM and COM (T2 and T6), and 86-88% in PM and SS compost. However, relatively greater abundance of PB was recorded in the T4 and T8 treatments. Most of the PB belong to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes phylum and their community composition varied from phylum to species levels among the all treatments. The PB composition was significantly altered by BSFL amendment and also important role play to enhance in compost quality. Interestingly, Bacillus and Clostridium were significantly very less abundant present in BSFL applied treatments, but considerably higher population of these bacterial genus and its associated species were identifies from control or without BSFL applied treatments. Overall, without BSFL blended-all three kinds of manure-composts have comparatively greater PB abundance than with BSFL applied treatments, as the PB species Listeria_monocytogenes_FSL_R2-503, Staphylococcus_aureus_M0406, Bacillus_anthracis, Listeria_ivanovii, Staphylococcus_aureus_C0673, Salmonella Bacillus_cereus_VD115, Mycobacterium_tuberculosis_FJ05194 and Pseudomonas_aeruginosa has relatively greater RAs, followed by Bartonella_bacilliformis_Ver075; Bordetella_pertussis_2356847; Brucella_melitensis_ADMAS-G1; Klebsiella_pneumoniae_LCT-KP182 and Corynebacterium_jeikeium_K411 respectively. Thus, chicken manure composting with BSFL addition is efficient technology for the organic waste recycling and conversion of sanitized matured compost with significantly less abundance of pathogenic bacteria.
Insights
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) significantly reduce pathogenic bacteria in composted manure. Chicken manure with BSFL addition offers efficient organic waste recycling, yielding sanitized compost with fewer harmful bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Waste Management
- Insect Bioconversion
Background:
- Pathogenic bacteria (PB) pose risks in manure composting.
- Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are known for bioconversion capabilities.
- Effective composting reduces organic waste and associated pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of BSFL on PB survival in various compost types.
- To assess BSFL's efficacy in reducing pathogen load during composting.
- To evaluate BSFL-amended compost for organic waste recycling and safety.
Main Methods:
- Composting trials using chicken manure, pig manure, cow manure, and sewage sludge.
- Inoculation with BSFL at a 1.2:7 ratio (larvae:fresh weight) versus control (no BSFL).
- Experiment duration of 9 days with analysis of PB abundance and community composition.
Main Results:
- BSFL amendment significantly reduced PB abundance by 86-93% across all compost types.
- Chicken and cow manure composts showed the highest PB reduction (90-93%).
- BSFL amendment altered PB community composition, notably reducing Bacillus and Clostridium genera.
Conclusions:
- BSFL addition is an effective strategy for reducing pathogenic bacteria in compost.
- Chicken manure composting with BSFL is an efficient technology for organic waste recycling.
- BSFL-amended compost is a sanitized product with significantly lower pathogenic bacteria abundance.
