Alternative Proteins Magazine ISSUE FOCUS 26 October 2025 BSFL have emerged as a compelling nutrient-rich protein source with wide-ranging uses in aquaculture, animal feed, and agriculture. This humble sub-tropical species lives only a few weeks, but during the larval stage, produces industrial scale efficiencies. The adult black soldier fly lives only a matter of days – to mate and start the next generation of larvae. A single female fly can lay up to 800 eggs. The larvae have an outstanding ability to convert low-value organic waste streams into high-quality nutrition for a wide variety of animals and fish. BSFL also contain an abundance of essential amino acids, micronutrients, and rich fatty acids – properties that make them an obvious substitution to conventional proteins. Packed with a highly palatable and digestible protein, BSFL-derived nutrition can rival fish meal and outshine many plant-based proteins. The amino acid profile is well balanced, including impressive levels of lysine, valine, and leucine – all significant in supporting animal growth and immunity. The considerable fat content of BSFL not only provides a dense energy source, but also functional benefits. For example, lauric acid is recognized for its antimicrobial properties, supporting gut health. The presence of such beneficial medium-chain fatty acids helps make BSFL ideally suited to livestock, aquaculture, and pet nutrition. SO, HOW DO BSFL FIT INTO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY? Commercial-scale BSFL production transforms copious volumes of low-cost organic waste into high-value nutrition. In a short space of time, BSFL can flip a waste challenge into an economic opportunity. This waste-to-value method radically reduces feedstock input costs compared to conventional proteins, diminishing the risks associated with price volatility. Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Oberland Agriscience collects organic food waste and by-products from local food and beverage production processes. The organic materials are fed to the larvae, who voraciously consume it in a matter of days. As the larvae feast and grow, they produce waste – known as frass – and heat. In the spirit of a truly circular economy, Oberland’s closed loop approach captures the heat from the larvae to heat other parts of its facility, and the frass they produce Photo: Courtesy of Oberland
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