Biorefinery of shrimp shell waste via black soldier fly larvae: larval performance, waste reuse efficiency, and circular economy potential

Abstract

The rapid expansion of shrimp farming has led to substantial accumulation of shell waste, coinciding with an increasing demand for fishmeal. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) offer an environmentally friendly solution by effectively recycling shrimp shell waste into a high-quality protein alternative for aquafeeds. This study examined the effects of shrimp shell proportions and particle sizes on the bioconversion efficiency of BSFL, accompanied by an economic analysis. The results showed that the proportion of shrimp shells, rather than their particle size, significantly influenced the bioconversion efficiency. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in larval biomass yield (~120 mg/larva) was observed between substrates containing 20%–40% shrimp shell waste and wheat bran. However, larvae reared on shrimp shell–based substrates demonstrated optimal nutritional characteristics, containing 40.8%–42.4% crude protein, 5.4%–6.3% chitin, and up to 103.1 g/kg calcium, along with balanced amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Notably, concentrations of undesirable elements, such as lead and cadmium, remained within acceptable feed safety limits, although strontium may pose a health risk when used in food. The optimal substrate, 20%–40% shrimp shell waste with particle size < 2 mm, achieved nitrogen recovery of 27.0%–37.2%, phosphorus recovery of 12.6%–18.1%, and waste reduction of 47.8%–55.4%. This study demonstrates that BSFL-based bioconversion offers a sustainable approach for managing waste from intensive shrimp farming while supporting a circular economy potential.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Black soldier fly / Waste management / Protein rich biomass / Health assessment / Circular economy

Highlight

	● Growth performance is related to the proportion of shell waste, not particle size.
	● 37.2% N recycling rate and 58.0% waste reduction rate were detected.
	● Harvested BSFL had 42.4% protein, 2.2% methionine and 103.1 g/kg of calcium.
	● Hazardous metal concentrations in BSFL are below limits for animal feed.

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