Bioconversion Of Food Waste Using Black Soldier (Hermetia illucens) Fly Larvae and African Nightcrawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae)

Abstract

The global reliance on synthetic fertilizers and growing concern over food waste highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. Despite these concerns, synthetic fertilizers remain a cornerstone of agricultural practices. This study evaluates the bioconversion of food waste using Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) and African nightcrawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae), focusing on temperature, pH, humidity, macronutrients, and biomass conversion efficiency of the bioconverters using the following: T0 (control, no decomposers), T1 (100% BSFL), T2 (100% African nightcrawlers), and T3 (50% BSFL, 50% African nightcrawlers).  Additionally, to determine whether a significant difference exists between and among the physicochemical properties in terms of temperature and pH levels of organic fertilizer. It utilized a 21-day experimental design to evaluate the compost’s physicochemical properties by monitoring temperature, pH, humidity, nutrient content, and biomass conversion. Food waste was collected and segregated, bioconverters were reared and applied to the treatment, and physical and chemical analyses were performed throughout the process. T1 showed the highest temperature range (29.2–35.2°C). T0, T1, and T2 produced pH values ranging from acidic to alkaline (5.21–7.75) and humidity levels of 42–77%. All treatments yielded very high nitrogen (>4.5%) and phosphorus (>20 ppm) and sufficient potassium (11–150 ppm). T3 had the highest biomass conversion efficiency (84.4%). Temperature, pH, and biomass conversion differed significantly among treatments at the 0.01 level. These results demonstrate that the bioconverters can provide a cost-effective, eco-friendly method for converting waste into fertilizer, thereby supporting broader adoption. Future research should evaluate fertilizer performance across various crops, assess cost-yield benefits, and conduct long-term environmental assessment of productivity.