Decomposition and humification process of domestic biodegradable waste by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae from the perspective of dissolved organic matter

XingHua Tao; FangMing Xiang; Fawad Zafar Ahmad Khan; YuLong Yan; JingJin Ma; BingXiang Xu; ZhiJian Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137861

Decomposition and humification process of domestic biodegradable waste by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae from the perspective of dissolved organic matter

Chemosphere. 2023 Mar:317:137861. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137861. Epub 2023 Jan 12.

Authors

XingHua Tao¹, FangMing Xiang¹, Fawad Zafar Ahmad Khan², YuLong Yan³, JingJin Ma¹, BingXiang Xu⁴, ZhiJian Zhang⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences, ZheJiang University, YuHangTang Ave 688, HangZhou, ZheJiang Province, 310058, PR China; HangZhou GuSheng Technology Company Limited, XiangWang Ave 48, HangZhou, 311121, PR China.
² Department of Outreach & Continuing Education, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan 66000, Pakistan.
³ HangZhou GuSheng Technology Company Limited, XiangWang Ave 48, HangZhou, 311121, PR China; JiaXing FuKang Biotechnology Company Limited, Building 1-19#, Development Ave 133, TongXiang Economic HiTech Zone, TongXiang, 314515, PR China.
⁴ JiaXing FuKang Biotechnology Company Limited, Building 1-19#, Development Ave 133, TongXiang Economic HiTech Zone, TongXiang, 314515, PR China.
⁵ College of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences, ZheJiang University, YuHangTang Ave 688, HangZhou, ZheJiang Province, 310058, PR China; China Academy of West Region Development, ZheJiang University, YuHangTang Ave 866, HangZhou, 310058, PR China. Electronic address: zhangzhijian@zju.edu.cn.

PMID: 36642139
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137861

Abstract

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermitia illucens L.) (BSFL) bioconversion is a promising technology for domestic biodegradable waste (DBW) management and resource recovery. However, little is known about the DBW biodegradation during the BSFL bioconversion from the perspective of dissolved organic matter (DOM). In the current study, field tests were conducted on a full-scale BSFL bioconversion facility with treatment capacity of 15 tons DBW/day. Composition of DOM in DBW were investigated by spectral analysis (UV-vis, fluorescence, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)), coupled with enzyme activity analysis. After BSFL bioconversion, DOM concentrations, total carbon and total nitrogen in residues decreased by 51.5%, 18.3% and 19.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, enzymes like catalase, lipase, protease, sucrase, urease and cellulase significantly increased (9.28%-56.3%). The specific UV absorbance at 254 nm and 280 nm (SUVA₂₅₄, SUVA₂₈₀), the area at 226-400 nm (A_226-400) and slope in the 280-400 nm region (S_280-400) of DOM increased by 230%, 186%, 143% and 398%, respectively. Moreover, the characteristic peaks at 1636, 1077 and 1045 cm^-1 in FT-IR increased continuously, with a significant decrease in peak at 1124 and 1572 cm^-1. DOM spectral data show that BSFL decomposed the carboxylic, cellulose and aliphatic components, resulting in the increase of oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl) and aromatic compounds. Furthermore, fluorescence profiles show that Region Ⅰ, Ⅱ (aromatic proteins) and Ⅳ (soluble microbial byproducts) decreased while Region Ⅴ (humic-like substances) increased significantly. Humification index increased by 122% while biological index decreased by 18.0%, indicating a significant increase in degree of humification and stabilization of the residues. The current evidence provides a theoretical basis for technical re-innovation and improving economic potential of BSFL technology.

Keywords: Biotransformation; Dissolved organic matter; Larvae; Organic waste; Spectral analysis.

MeSH terms

Animals
Diptera*
Dissolved Organic Matter*
Humic Substances / analysis
Larva
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

Dissolved Organic Matter
Humic Substances