Microbial degradation of oil palm empty fruit bunches as feed for insect larvae
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
Food security is a global challenge and various alternative protein approaches are being pursued to fill the gap in demand for animal feed. Our CASE partner, Fera are developing innovative for the mass rearing of insects to provide a safe source of protein for mono-gastric farmed animals. The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is a saprophagous insect, i.e. feeds on decaying organic matter, is a non-pest, and does not carry and transmissible diseases. Its larvae are, therefore, ideal to farm as animal feed. This project aims to transform existing initiatives through the exploitation of untapped abundant agricultural residues as feed for rearing BSF larvae for animal feed. Decomposing crop residues, such oil palm residues, are potentially an excellent food source for BSF larvae, which are thought to mainly feed on the microbes degrading the lignocellulose in the plant cell walls.
The project builds on a considerable body of prior work where we have been using 'omics techniques to identify new lignocellulose processing systems from composting microbial communities. The goal is to use these 'omics techniques to optimise microbial community degradation and harness their metabolic functionality for efficient production of digested crop residues as feed for insects. Specifically:
1. To discover highly performing microbial compost communities for biomass digestion
2. To characterise the community-level metabolism and identify the essential species and secreted proteins required for efficient lignocellulose deconstruction
3. To characterise the novel enzyme activities that enhance lignocellulose degradation for
biorefining applications
4. Evaluate digested crop residues as feed for BSF larvae.
In parallel, Fera will be conducting underpinning research to improve understanding of the nutritional requirements of BSF larvae for optimal conversion of crop residues to insect biomass.
The project builds on a considerable body of prior work where we have been using 'omics techniques to identify new lignocellulose processing systems from composting microbial communities. The goal is to use these 'omics techniques to optimise microbial community degradation and harness their metabolic functionality for efficient production of digested crop residues as feed for insects. Specifically:
1. To discover highly performing microbial compost communities for biomass digestion
2. To characterise the community-level metabolism and identify the essential species and secreted proteins required for efficient lignocellulose deconstruction
3. To characterise the novel enzyme activities that enhance lignocellulose degradation for
biorefining applications
4. Evaluate digested crop residues as feed for BSF larvae.
In parallel, Fera will be conducting underpinning research to improve understanding of the nutritional requirements of BSF larvae for optimal conversion of crop residues to insect biomass.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011151/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2117715 | Studentship | BB/M011151/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2022 |
| Description | Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) cannot grow on untreated (lignocellulosic) crop residues. 'Proof of Concept' data shows that the technology being developed during my PhD enables BSFL growth on these biomasses, as hypothesised at the outset. This technology will now be optimised and commercially translated through a potential university spin-out company. |
| Exploitation Route | After winning the Global Biobased Businessplan (G-BiB) competition in February 2021, we (Prof. Neil Bruce, Dr Daniel Leadbeater, Dr Tom North and I) are now seeking to commercialise this research through a potential university spin-out company. We have an ongoing liaison with the University of York's commercialisation team to explore IP opportunities (e.g. patents), and have received extensive interest from venture capitalists. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/news-events/other/2021/bio-based-businessplan-win/ |
| Description | Global Biobased Businessplan (G-BiB) Competition - 2020/2021. Dr Daniel Leadbeater (post-doctoral colleague) and I entered the G-BiB Competition with academic mentorship from Prof. Neil Bruce (my PhD supervisor). The G-BiB Competition challenged university researchers from the UK, Germany and Finland to develop an innovative business plan based around the sustainable production of a bio-renewable product. We formed a business plan around my PhD research (award ref. 2117715) and won both the UK national semi-final on 13th January 2021 and international final on 17th February 2021. As a prize, we will now access a business mentoring programme by High-Tech Gründerfonds (German venture capital investor for innovative technologies in fields such as the life sciences and chemistry). Through this, we will prepare for a pitch later in the year with the hope of securing significant investment. In parallel, we are exploring the possibility of forming a university spin-out company to commercialise this research to bring about economic and societal impact (i.e. sustainably producing an alternative protein source (Black Soldier Fly Larvae) to meet the ever-growing protein deficit). 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition - 2020. Competed in the University of York's 3MT Competition and was selected as one of 11 finalists. My 3MT talk aimed to succinctly and clearly communicate my research to a non-specialist audience, in order to raise public awareness and acceptance of insects as an alternative protein source. Global Food Security (GFS) Speak Up for Food Security Competition - 2020. Selected as one of 12 delegates at the 2-day storytelling masterclass in London (UK). This provided training on how best to communicate complex research to non-specialist audiences through storytelling to create societal impact. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Dr Christopher Lancefield (University of St. Andrews) |
| Organisation | St. Andrews University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Obtained a range of fungal strains from Dr Christopher Lancefield to be used in growth experiments on lignocellulosic crop residues. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Christopher Lancefield has performed NMR analysis on various samples to provide a greater depth of understanding around fungal metabolism of lignocellulose. |
| Impact | Deeper understanding around fungal metabolism of lignocellulose, and how that relates to the growth of Black Soldier Fly Larvae when fed on lignocellulosic crop residues. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Fera Science Ltd. |
| Organisation | Fera Science Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I have performed experiments (Black Soldier Fly Larvae feeding trials) that are mutually beneficial to both parties (i.e. UoY and Fera Science). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Fera Science have provided the facilities to carry out the above experiments (Black Soldier Fly Larvae feeding trials), as well as invaluable training and support (including a financial contibution of £6800 intended for consumables). |
| Impact | Black Soldier Fly Larvae cannot grow on untreated (lignocellulosic) crop residues. The technology being developed during my PhD enables their growth on these biomasses. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia - NFIS grant |
| Organisation | University of Technology, Malaysia |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Experimental data obtained during my PhD re: the development of a technology to enable (lignocellulosic) crop residues to be used as feed for Black Soldier Fly Larvae. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Experimental data (incl. social science) re: the development of a technology to enable (lignocellulosic) crop residues to be used as feed for Black Soldier Fly Larvae. |
| Impact | Black Soldier Fly Larvae cannot grow on untreated (lignocellulosic) crop residues. The technology being jointly developed through this partnership enables their growth on these biomasses. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Competed in the University of York's 3MT Competition and was selected as one of 11 finalists. My 3MT talk aimed to succinctly and clearly communicate my research to a non-specialist audience, in order to raise public awareness and acceptance of insects as an alternative protein source. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/research/events/three-minute-thesis/2020/ |
| Description | EatBugs! Outreach at various events (e.g. YorNight 2020) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I co-run EatBugs! Outreach which promotes the sustainability of insects as a protein source (AKA entomophagy) to the general public by offering dried house cricket tasters. We attend a variety of national events (e.g. York Insect Festival 2019, York Researchers' Night 2020 attended by over 3,000 people). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/yornight/2020/activities/eat-bugs/ |
| Description | Global Biobased Businessplan (G-BiB) Competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Daniel Leadbeater (post-doctoral colleague) and I entered the G-BiB Competition with academic mentorship from Prof. Neil Bruce (my PhD supervisor). The G-BiB Competition challenged university researchers from the UK, Germany and Finland to develop an innovative business plan based around the sustainable production of a bio-renewable product. We formed a business plan around my PhD research (award ref. 2117715) and won both the UK national semi-final on 13th January 2021 and international final on 17th February 2021. As a prize, we will now access a business mentoring programme by High-Tech Gründerfonds (German venture capital investor for innovative technologies in fields such as the life sciences and chemistry). Through this, we will prepare for a pitch later in the year with the hope of securing significant investment. In parallel, we are exploring the possibility of forming a university spin-out company to commercialise this research to bring about economic and societal impact (i.e. sustainably producing an alternative protein source (Black Soldier Fly Larvae) to meet the ever-growing protein deficit). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/news-events/other/2021/bio-based-businessplan-win/ |
| Description | Global Food Security (GFS) Speak Up for Food Security Competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Selected as one of 12 delegates at the 2-day storytelling masterclass in London (UK). This provided training on how best to communicate complex research to non-specialist audiences through storytelling to create societal impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |