SCALIBUR Extraction and functional properties of proteins from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) reared on canteen waste

There is an increasing need for sustainable protein sources in the world because of an increasing world population (FAO, 2009). Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are emerging as an alternative source for both food and feed, since they contain approximatively 42% crude proteins (Diener et al, 2009) which contain all amino acids required for human consumption (Yi, 2015).

Before the proteins can be effectively used within the food industry, they need to be separated from lipid and chitin fractions. The aim of this research was to develop an extraction method in order to obtain a protein fraction with high yield and purity. The functional properties were determined and compared to a reference protein source.