Evaluation of antibacterial activity of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larval gut extracts

Lead Researcher(s): Jaymark Orapa, Nephriteri Generale, Avvy Sheen Uy, Danielle Dalman, Mariel Rose Villarubia and Fleurdeliz Maglangit
Status: Published

Abstract/summary: The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L., feed on various organic wastes, such as animal manures and food waste, which are often abundant in pathogenic microorganisms. BSF can thrive in such harsh environments, indicating that their gut microflora may possess a potent immune system that can produce a variety of bioactive metabolites, which may repress the growth of harmful pathogens. Nevertheless, the bioactivity potential of the gut microbiota of BSF larvae (BSFL) remains underinvestigated. In this work, we characterized the gut portions of the BSFL (i.e., foregut, midgut, and hindgut) and evaluated the bioactivity of microbial gut extracts against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Ten strains were isolated: three from the foregut (JN1, JN2, JN3), three from the midgut (JA4, JA5, JA6), and four from the hindgut (JB7, JB8, JB9, JB10). All gut isolates showed zones of inhibition (ZOI) against B. subtilis (6.27–7.80 mm) and E. coli (6.20–7.33 mm), suggesting the presence of broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds. Based on the 16S RNA sequence similarity, the isolates JN2 and JA4, with the largest ZOIs, are likely new members of the genus Bacillus, while JA4 belongs to the genus Providencia. The results highlight the potential of BSFL gut as a promising source of antimicrobial compounds, contributing to sustainable waste management and advancements in biotechnology.

Keywords:

• BSFL
• BSFL gut
• gut microbiota
• gut extracts
• zone of inhibition
• antibiotics