Black Soldier Flies can be used to add value to the animal feed as well as cosmetics industries

One of nature’s many miracles is the wealth of secrets that hide within the beauty of the Black Soldier Fly. This tiny black insect, which was previously thought unimaginable, offers immense potential and benefits and could contribute significantly to the Thai cosmetics industry, currently worth hundreds of billions of baht annually.

While the military name may sound intimidating, this fly is commonly called the striped fly, which unfortunately is often associated with common flies, evoking unattractive images of disease and waste.

However, the Black Soldier Fly presents no threat, does not transmit diseases to humans, is plant friendly, and its worm is excellent at processing organic and animal waste, both for farmers and household food waste. In addition, their shells are high in protein, and extracted oil can be used as animal feed.

Associate Professor Dr. Jiraporn Kulsarin of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Agriculture, has researched the effectiveness of the Black Soldier Fly in reducing organic waste in factories and animal farms to help solve environmental issues and promote a circular economy. Her research has shown that the Black Soldier Fly can become an ‘industrial insect’ that can add value to businesses without negatively affecting the environment.

The Black Soldier Fly can also become a source of protein and a low-cost component in animal feed production. In addition, the valuable oil extract is becoming sought after in the cosmetics industry and hailed as a ‘Beauty Secret.’ Better yet, the entire process of producing the Black Soldier Fly for industrial use creates zero waste. The potential applications and opportunities for industry and commerce are vast and, as yet, untapped.

An entomologist ponders a world without insects

“Insects represent more than half of the known living organisms, and their value to our world is incalculable,” says entomologist Associate Professor Dr. Jiraporn. “Even the common bluebottle fly has a medical use in terms of helping forensic pathologists determine the decomposition time of a corpse due to its consistent time of arrival and colonisation of the body following death.”

“Insects are tiny but have a vast value for our world," said Associate Professor Dr. Jiraporn.

“Should there be no insects to pollinate, what would happen to us all? Insects provide far more value than harm but are often seen as threats to crops. In fact, insect damage is negligible compared to the overall benefit.”

“Insects are considered harmful when they infest cash crops,” she continued. “However they represent only 1% of all insects. Their numbers are also regulated by nature's own balancing system and often by other insects. We call them ‘insect natural enemies,’ composed of insect predators (which bite and eat other insects) and insect parasites (sucks the blood of other insects like blood sucking-parasites or leeches). These insects play an essential role in the complex ecosystem food web, creating strongly stable and sustainable natural balances.”

As entomologists, our approach is to find ways for these insects to be as beneficial to humans as possible. That is why insects such as silkworms and crickets are now bred industrially and used in various ways without negatively affecting the environment. Entomologists research insect behaviour and help find ways to best breed them for optimum industrial usage.”

The current global cosmetics trend is to seek beneficial extracts from insects. Pharmacologists have discovered that Black Soldier Fly pupae extracts produce an oil rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9, which are all fatty acids good for the body. It also produces beneficial lauric acid, which has numerous microorganisms efficient at combatting acne. Not only that, it has antioxidant properties which absorb into the skin and phospholipid, an excellent conduit of various medicine into the skin.

To understand the insects’ vast potential, Chiang Mai University has created a Spearhead Programme in accordance with the strategy laid out by the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office, which has a largescale innovation and research plan to add value to the economy in targeted areas with clearly provided measures.

This project has received support and cooperation from several fields of studies across Chiang Mai University.

     • The Faculties of Agriculture and Science have worked together and found an efficient method of breeding pupae for maximum growth and by adjusting the food consumed by the pupae, produced the clearest, purest, and scent-free extracts.

     • The Faculty of Agro-Industry has worked on the drying and extraction processes.

     • The Faculties of Pharmacy and Medicine have researched on how to use the extracts in cosmetics, a key component to any further research in the cosmetics industry.

      • A total of 11 entomocosmetic products have been created with properties ranging from combatting acne to adding moisture and reducing wrinkles.

“Each step of the process is a challenge,” explains Associate Professor Dr. Jiraporn. “Let's say today we feed our insects vegetables, and tomorrow we feed them fruits; the oils extracted will not be the same. Each extract may differ not just in appearance, but in its potential usage. Cosmetics require the purest extract and the most precise recipe possible. We must ensure the cleanest system from start to finish. This includes the raw materials and an evaporation (Evap) system capable of controlling the environment's temperature and moisture levels. In addition, we control the amount and type of food consumed and conduct testing during the process. For example, the Faculties of Pharmacy and Medicine recommend that a clear and uncoloured product is necessary for the cosmetics industry. So we had to find a way to lighten it and eliminate any smell and by regulating the input materials and by controlling the environment helped us to meet this requirement.”

Through meticulous research, the Black Soldier Fly extract has been shown to have practical benefits in acne prevention, wrinkle and freckle reduction. In addition, allergy testing and peer reviews have proven that side effects are negligible, having passed the cosmetic industry's generally accepted Korean OECD GLP compliance standards.