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Impact of waste-derived ethanol on growth and metabolic allocation in black soldier fly larvae: Implications for organic waste treatment.

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Title: Impact of waste-derived ethanol on growth and metabolic allocation in black soldier fly larvae: Implications for organic waste treatment.
Authors: Park, Jonghyun1 (AUTHOR), Lee, Dong-Jun2 (AUTHOR), Kim, Ka Young3 (AUTHOR), Koo, Bonwoo4 (AUTHOR), Park, Kwanho4 (AUTHOR), Kim, Jee Young1,5 (AUTHOR) kojee@ajou.ac.kr, Kwon, Eilhann E.1 (AUTHOR) ek2148@hanyang.ac.kr
Source: Journal of Environmental Management. Apr2026, Vol. 405, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Ethanol, Lipid metabolism, Waste recycling, Organic wastes, Chemosensory proteins, Insect larvae, Hermetia illucens, Regulation of growth
Abstract: Insects possess chemosensory signalling systems that elicit coordinated behavioural and physiological responses to chemical stimuli. This study investigates the effects of ethanol (EtOH) exposure on black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and evaluates its relevance to organic waste valorisation. Behavioural assays show that BSFL are attracted to EtOH and exhibit a stronger preference for direct contact over volatilised EtOH. Dietary EtOH supplementation enhances BSFL growth at concentrations of 1–5%, with larval dry weight increasing by up to 12% relative to the control. Further, EtOH supplementation alters lipid metabolism, leading to concentration-dependent increases in lipid accumulation. BSFL reared on feed containing 10% EtOH reached a lipid content of 11.25 wt%, which was 28% higher than that of the control. In contrast, the protein content and amino acid composition remained unchanged across all treatments. These results confirm that dietary EtOH contributes to the central carbon metabolism in BSFL and preferentially supporting growth and lipid biosynthesis rather than protein production. This study demonstrates that fermentation-derived EtOH functions as both a chemosensory signal and metabolic substrate in BSFL. These findings provide a basis to exploiting insect chemosensory responses in organic waste treatment and resource recovery systems. [Display omitted] • Ethanol acted as chemosensory cue and metabolic substrate in insect larvae • Larvae preferred ethanol, with stronger attraction to direct contact than volatile • 1–5% ethanol enhanced larval growth and increased lipid accumulation • Protein content and amino acid composition were not altered with ethanol addition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Insects possess chemosensory signalling systems that elicit coordinated behavioural and physiological responses to chemical stimuli. This study investigates the effects of ethanol (EtOH) exposure on black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and evaluates its relevance to organic waste valorisation. Behavioural assays show that BSFL are attracted to EtOH and exhibit a stronger preference for direct contact over volatilised EtOH. Dietary EtOH supplementation enhances BSFL growth at concentrations of 1–5%, with larval dry weight increasing by up to 12% relative to the control. Further, EtOH supplementation alters lipid metabolism, leading to concentration-dependent increases in lipid accumulation. BSFL reared on feed containing 10% EtOH reached a lipid content of 11.25 wt%, which was 28% higher than that of the control. In contrast, the protein content and amino acid composition remained unchanged across all treatments. These results confirm that dietary EtOH contributes to the central carbon metabolism in BSFL and preferentially supporting growth and lipid biosynthesis rather than protein production. This study demonstrates that fermentation-derived EtOH functions as both a chemosensory signal and metabolic substrate in BSFL. These findings provide a basis to exploiting insect chemosensory responses in organic waste treatment and resource recovery systems. [Display omitted] • Ethanol acted as chemosensory cue and metabolic substrate in insect larvae • Larvae preferred ethanol, with stronger attraction to direct contact than volatile • 1–5% ethanol enhanced larval growth and increased lipid accumulation • Protein content and amino acid composition were not altered with ethanol addition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03014797
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129659