ARTICLE 34 Alternative Proteins Magazine October 2024 “Although ongoing research on AMPs shows promising in vitro antimicrobial properties, its applications in the insect industry and commercial products face several key challenges. First, the understanding of insect immune systems and the mechanisms involved in AMPs production, particularly in Hermetia illucens, remains limited. This lack of knowledge hampers treatments to efficiently enhance AMPs levels in the BSFL stage, posing challenges in both trial-scale and large-scale production.” In recent years, the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) and its derived products have seen significant market growth. This expansion is particularly significant in the Animal Feed sector, where BSFL meal is becoming a key alternative protein source, offering both nutritional value and additional functional benefits. BSFL-derived products, such as those produced by Entobel, are closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) providing an eco-friendly alternative by utilizing food industry by-products and helping to reduce carbon emissions of the feed industry. Entobel’s BSFL meal is notable for its high protein content – with an average of 55% crude protein – and its well-balanced amino acid profile, including Methionine (2.11%), Cystine (1.36%), Proline (5.87%), and Tyrosine (6.68%). These amino acids not only support immune function but also acts as natural attractants for animals. In addition to its protein content, BSFL meal naturally contains antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which gained interest in both research and the feed industry for their potential ability to enhance animal health. As a result, BSFL-derived proteins future innovations while addressing environmental concerns and promoting more sustainable practices in the feed industry. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides that contain about 10–100 amino acids, known for their broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. Recent research has identified key AMPs families in the BSF genome. Jian Peng et al (2023) discovered 33 cecropin genes, while Vogel Heiko et al (2018) reported 26 genes coding for defensin AMPs and 6 genes coding for attacin1, 2. These AMPs families play a crucial role in the fly’s immune defense system and exhibit significant potential for antimicrobial applications. The cecropin family in BSFL consists of four types of peptides, each containing approximately 69 amino acids and having a molecular mass of 7 kDa. Cecropins are particularly effective against a range of bacteria, including Gram-negative species such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, as well as Gram-positive ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES IN BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES Tran Thi Chau R&D Product Development Team Leader Entobel
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