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Sustainable Valorization of Oil Palm Coproducts: Physicochemical Characterization and Potential Use in Insect
Fabiane Cerqueira de Almeida1, Débora Pereira Rodrigues Borges1, Lorena Lindsey Coelho Duarte Santos2
1Graduate Program in Food Science, College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, 147, Ondina, Salvador 40170-115, BA, Brazil.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Oil palm coproducts like palm kernel cake (PKC) can partially replace wheat bran in diets for Zophobas atratus larvae. This approach maintains larval performance and enhances biomass value, offering a sustainable solution for waste valorization.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Biotechnology
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- The oil palm industry produces coproducts requiring sustainable valorization.
- Finding alternative, cost-effective feed substrates for insect larvae is crucial for sustainable aquaculture and animal feed production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of oil palm coproducts (mesocarp fiber, palm oil mill effluent, palm kernel cake) as partial replacements for wheat bran in Zophobas atratus larval diets.
- To assess the impact of these diets on larval growth performance, biomass composition, and survival rates.
- To characterize the nutritional and antioxidant properties of the oil palm coproducts.
Main Methods:
- Physicochemical characterization of mesocarp fiber (MF), palm oil mill effluent (POME), and palm kernel cake (PKC).
- Formulation of six experimental diets with varying percentages of MF, POME, and PKC replacing wheat bran.
- Feeding trials with Zophobas atratus larvae to assess feed conversion efficiency, feed conversion ratio, and larval biomass composition.
- Monitoring of larval mortality and bioaccumulation of specific compounds like carotenoids.
Main Results:
- Palm kernel cake (PKC) supplementation at 50% improved feed conversion efficiency and larval protein content while maintaining performance comparable to the control diet.
- Larvae fed 50% mesocarp fiber (MF) showed significant carotenoid bioaccumulation (>190% increase).
- Palm oil mill effluent (POME) exhibited high lipid content, and PKC showed high protein and antioxidant capacity.
Conclusions:
- Oil palm coproducts show promise as sustainable feed ingredients for Zophobas atratus larvae, potentially adding value to waste streams.
- Dietary adjustments, particularly protein/energy balance and fiber digestibility, are necessary for optimal utilization and to mitigate mortality.
- Further research is needed to overcome technical feasibility challenges related to coproduct inclusion levels and larval survival.
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