From Waste to Feed
Basic research
Waste products as a source of protein-rich feedstuff
- Funding: Austrian Science Fund (FWF), grant P26444
- Period: December 2014 – November 2018
- Budget: €158.635
- Role: PhD Student
- Collaborators: Christoph Griesbeck (MCI-The Entrepreneurial School, AT)
Description
Waste management is becoming harder as populations and cities grow. Organic waste contains valuable biomolecules and should be used at a higher level than incineration, landfilling or basic composting. This project investigates black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae as a way to convert organic waste into valuable biomass.
Aims
- Characterise and compare different organic waste sources.
- Adapt process conditions to the black soldier fly life cycle.
- Analyse the chemical and physical properties of the larvae and their suitability as animal feed.
- Identify the microbiota of the larval digestive tract.
- Screen for hygiene and monitor pathogens.
Involved students
Carina D. Heussler (PhD student), Tajda Bogataj (Master student), Simon Oberegger (Bachelor student), Katharina Stonig (Bachelor student) and Anna Serra (Bachelor student), Katarina Bačnik (intern), Sabrina Vrečko (intern)