DOI - Mendel University Press

DOI identifiers

DOI: 10.11118/nutrinet2026_019

BLACK SOLDIER FLY FAT AS AN ALTERNATIVE LIPID SOURCE IN ANIMAL NUTRITION: COMPARATIVE FATTY ACID PROFILING AGAINST CONVENTIONAL FEED OILS AND FATS

Ester Vargová1, Kristína Kolbaská1, Michal Rolinec1, Branislav Gálik1, Miroslav Juráèek1, Milan ©imko1, Ondrej Hanu¹ovský1
1 Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. Andrea Hlinku 2 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) fat has recently gained attention as a potential alternative lipid source in animal nutrition because of its distinctive fatty acid profile and sustainable production potential. The present study compared the fatty acid composition and selected lipid quality indices of black soldier fly (BSF) fat with representative conventional feed and edible lipid sources, including soybean oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, palm oil, chicken fat, pig fat/lard, and marine and freshwater fish-derived lipids. Four BSF fat samples were analysed using gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID), while comparative literature-derived datasets were harmonised for calculation of the atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenicity index (TI), and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H). BSF fat was characterised by elevated proportions of saturated fatty acids, particularly lauric acid (C12:0), while still retaining moderate levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Among the evaluated lipid sources, BSF fat showed the greatest similarity to coconut oil with respect to its medium-chain saturated fatty acid profile; however, its AI and TI values remained lower because of the higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. In contrast, soybean and rapeseed oils exhibited the most favourable lipid quality indices, whereas marine and freshwater fish-derived lipids were distinguished by higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content and lower n-6/n-3 ratios. Overall, the obtained results indicate that BSF fat occupies a unique compositional position among the evaluated lipid sources. Although its fatty acid profile is most similar to coconut oil because of the high proportion of saturated fatty acids, its lipid quality indices suggest an intermediate nutritional position between highly saturated tropical oils and more unsaturated lipid sources. These findings further support the growing interest in BSF-derived lipids as nutritionally relevant alternative lipid sources.

Keywords: Hermetia illucens; insect-derived lipids; fatty acid profiling; lipid quality indices; alternative feed fats; animal nutrition; gas chromatography

pages: 175-187, online: 2026



References

  1. Chen, J. and Liu, H. (2020) 'Nutritional indices for assessing fatty acids: a mini-review', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(16), 5695. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21165695 Go to original source...
  2. Domiszewski, Z., Szpicer, A., Mierzejewska, S., Wojtasik-Kalinowska, I., Biñkowska, W., Maziarz, K. and Piepiórka-Stepuk, J. (2026) 'Comparative study of lipid quality from edible insect powders and selected cereal flours under storage conditions', Applied Sciences, 16(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010013 Go to original source...
  3. Dongmo, F.F., Fogang, MBA, A.R., Njiké Ngamga, F.H., Asongni, W.D., Zokou, R., Simo Noutsa, B., Ngo Hagbe, D., Tchuenbou-Magaia, F.L., Ebelle Etame, R.M. et al. (2024) 'An overview of fatty acids-based nutritional quality indices of fish oils from Cameroon: impact of fish pre-treatment and preservation methods', Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 134, 106366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106366 Go to original source...
  4. IJdema, F., Lievens, S., Smets, R., Poma, G., Van Der Borght, M., Lievens, B. and De Smet, J. (2025) 'Modulating the fatty acid composition of black soldier fly larvae via substrate fermentation', Animal, 19(1), 101383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101383 Go to original source...
  5. Khan, S., Shi, X., Cai, R., Shuai, Z., Mao, W., Khan, I.M., Swelum, A.A. and Guo, J. (2024) 'Effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal and oil on the performance, biochemical profile, intestinal health and gut microbial dynamics in laying hens', Poultry Science, 103(12), 104460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104460 Go to original source...
  6. Kim, Y.B., Kim, D.H., Jeong, S.B., Lee, J.W., Kim, T.H., Lee, H.G. and Lee, K.W. (2020) 'Black soldier fly larvae oil as an alternative fat source in broiler nutrition', Poultry Science, 99(6), pp. 3133-3143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.01.018 Go to original source...
  7. Kostik, V., Memeti, S. and Bauer, B. (2013) 'Fatty acid composition of edible oils and fats', Journal of Hygienic Engineering and Design, 4, pp. 112-116.
  8. Lu, X., Yang, Q., Wang, H., Huang, Z., Chen, Y. and Li, Q. (2022) 'Nutritional composition of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) and its potential uses as alternative protein sources in animal diets: a review', Insects, 13(9), 831. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090831 Go to original source...
  9. Maheshwari, C., Prathap, V., Kumar, S., Meena, N.L., Dalal, M. and Tyagi, A. (2025) 'Comparative evaluation of phytochemical, nutritional, in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cold-pressed oils in India', Scientific Reports, 15, 39200. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09096-7 Go to original source...
  10. Marikkar, N., Alinovi, M. and Chiavaro, E. (2021) 'Analytical approaches for discriminating native lard from other animal fats', Italian Journal of Food Science, 33(1), pp. 106-115. https://doi.org/10.15586/ijfs.v33i1.1962 Go to original source...
  11. Nekrasov, R.V., Ivanov, G.A., Chabaev, M.G., Zelenchenkova, A.A., Bogolyubova, N.V., Nikanova, D.A., Sermyagin, A.A., Bibikov, S.O. and Shapovalov, S.O. (2022) 'Effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) fat on health and productivity performance of dairy cows', Animals, 12(16), 2118. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162118 Go to original source...
  12. Özogul, Y., Özogul, F. and Alagöz, S. (2007) 'Fatty acid profiles and fat contents of commercially important seawater and freshwater fish species of Turkey: a comparative study', Food Chemistry, 103(1), pp. 217-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.08.009 Go to original source...
  13. Quigley, J.D., French, P., McCarthy, C.S. and Moloney, A.P. (2025) 'Nutritional value of black soldier fly larvae oil in calf milk replacers', Journal of Dairy Science, 108(2), pp. 1567-1579. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25841 Go to original source...
  14. Sabahannur, S. and Alimuddin, S. (2022) 'Identification of fatty acids in virgin coconut oil (VCO), cocoa beans, crude palm oil (CPO), and palm kernel beans using gas chromatography', IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1083, 012036. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1083/1/012036 Go to original source...
  15. Santos-Silva, J., Bessa, R.J.B. and Santos-Silva, F. (2002) 'Effect of genotype, feeding system and slaughter weight on the quality of light lambs: II. Fatty acid composition of meat', Livestock Production Science, 77(2-3), pp. 187-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(02)00059-3 Go to original source...
  16. Schiavone, A., Cullere, M., De Marco, M., Meneguz, M., Biasato, I., Bergagna, S., Dezzutto, D., Gai, F., Dabbou, S. et al. (2017) 'Partial or total replacement of soybean oil by black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) fat in broiler diets: effect on growth performances, feed-choice, blood traits, carcass characteristics and meat quality', Italian Journal of Animal Science, 16(1), pp. 93-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2016.1249968 Go to original source...
  17. Somparn, P., Molee, W., Chankitisakul, V. and Molee, A. (2024) 'Effects of replacing rice bran oil with black soldier fly larvae oil on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and blood parameters in broilers', Frontiers in Animal Science, 5, 1496763. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2024.1496763 Go to original source...
  18. Srisuksai, K., Boonma, P., Charoenwongpaiboon, T. and Chaiyaso, T. (2024) 'Physicochemical properties and fatty acid profile of black soldier fly larvae oil', Veterinary World, 17(3), pp. 518-526. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2024.518-526 Go to original source...
  19. STN ISO 5508 (1996) Animal and vegetable fats and oils - Analysis by gas chromatography of methyl esters of fatty acids. Bratislava: Slovak Technical Standards.
  20. STN ISO 5509 (2000) Animal and vegetable fats and oils - Preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids. Bratislava: Slovak Technical Standards.
  21. Suryati, T., Astuti, D.A., Wibawan, I.W.T. and Evvyernie, D. (2023) 'Lauric acid from the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and its potential applications', Sustainability, 15(13), 10383. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310383 Go to original source...
  22. Toishimanov, M., Suleimenova, Z., Myrzabayeva, N., Dossimova, Z., Shokan, A., Kenenbayev, S., Yessenbayeva, G. and Serikbayeva, A. (2024) 'Effects of organic fertilizers on the quality, yield, and fatty acids of maize and soybean in Southeast Kazakhstan', Sustainability, 16(1), 162. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010162 Go to original source...
  23. Ulbricht, T.L.V. and Southgate, D.A.T. (1991) 'Coronary heart disease: seven dietary factors', The Lancet, 338(8773), pp. 985-992. https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(91)91846-M Go to original source...
  24. Zhang, L., Zhang, K., Yang, H., Yue, K., Liu, R., Bi, Y. and Ma, C. (2023) 'Characterization of lard from different adipose tissues: Physicochemical properties, thermodynamics characteristics and crystallization behaviors', Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 115, 105021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2022.105021 Go to original source...
Return