From waste to food and bioinsecticides: An innovative system integrating Tenebrio molitor bioconversion and pyrolysis bio-oil production

URRUTIA, RODRIGO IÑAKI; JESSER, EMILIANO NICOLAS; GUTIERREZ, VICTORIA SOLEDAD; RODRIGUEZ, SILVANA; GUMILAR, FERNANDA; MURRAY, ANA PAULA; VOLPE, MARIA ALICIA; WERDIN-GONZÁLEZ, JORGE OMAR

CHEMOSPHERE

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2023

0045-6535

To achieve a waste-free clean production, the present study aimed to valorize an underused agro-industrial by-product (rice bran) by mealworms bioconversion associated with the production of bioinsecticides derived from pyrolysis of insect excrement, i.e., frass. To achieve the first goal, the suitability of rice bran (RB) versus standard diet, wheat bran (WB), was examined by determining feed conversion, growth performance, and nutritional profile of T. molitor larvae. RB as sole diet was an appropriate feed substrate for breeding mealworms, as evidenced by their high survival rates, optimal feed conversion parameters, and its capability to support the growth and life cycle of this insect. Moreover, RB did not affect soluble larval protein content but modified crude fat content and fatty acid profile. In order to address the second aim, egested frass from RB and WB were subjected to pyrolysis to obtain bio-oils. From GC-MS analysis, the main compound was acetic acid (≈37%) followed by 1,6-Anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose (from 16 to 25%). Nitrogen containing chemicals accounted for ≈10%. Frass bio-oils could represent a novel source of bioinsecticide due to their bioeffectiveness in insect pests of economic importance (Plodia interpunctella and Tribolium castaneum) and medical interest (Culex pipiens pipiens). For P. interpunctella adults, frass bio-oils produced insecticidal activity by fumigant and contact exposure whereas for T. castaneum adults, just fumigant. By a miniaturized model that simulates semireal storage conditions, it was seen that, on T. castaneum, frass RB bio-oil generated higher repellent effect than WB. Finally, bio-oils proved to have larvicidal activity against Cx. p. pipiens.