Title: LaserLarvae

Funded by: AUFF NOVA

AU project manager: 

• Assistant professor Grum Gebreyesus (AU-QGG): Principal Investigator I & WP leader of WP 3
• Postdoc Roos Zaalberg (AU-QGG): Principal Investigator II & WP leader of WP 3

Collaborators:

• Associate professor Samantha Joan Noel (AU-ANIVET): WP leader of WP 1 
• Assistant professor Kim Jensen (AU-ANIVET): WP leader of WP 2 
• Research assistant Laurits Bundgaard Andersen

Project period: 1 January 2024 - 31 August 2026

Funding amount: 900,000 DKK

Project description

Insect production, particularly the Black Soldier Fly (BSF), is gaining traction due to its eco-friendly nature. Despite potential, the BSF industry faces efficiency challenges, notably the lack of genetic improvement. BSF larvae are rich in protein (35-50%) and fat (35-55%), varying with diet, rearing conditions and genetics. Selective breeding for profitability necessitates noninvasive, high-throughput methods for nutritional content assessment.

Conventional chemometric analysis is accurate but time-consuming and costly. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy emerges as a faster, cheaper alternative, already proven in the food industry. However, its application to live BSF larvae is unexplored. The LaserLarvae project aims to pioneer an IR prediction model for live, uncleaned BSF larvae's detailed fat and protein composition. This advancement could revolutionize insect production efficiency, catering to evolving consumer preferences and expanding possibilities for IR analysis in various species. The project's success will lay the groundwork for broader applications in insect production management and breeding.