Analysis of Chemical and Microbial Properties of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Frass

Chung, Dao Heng (2025) Analysis of Chemical and Microbial Properties of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Frass. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens frass is increasingly promoted as a biofertilizer, yet basic characterization of its resident microbes and bulk chemistry remains inconsistent across studies. This project aimed to (i) isolate dominant frass‐associated microorganisms for identification and (ii) establish baseline elemental composition of the frass. Culturable microbes were isolated on standard bacteriological and mycological media from fresh frass suspensions. Colony morphology and microscopic features supported the presumptive identifications of a filamentous fungus consistent with Aspergillus and two bacterial groups consistent with Staphylococcus and Bacillus. DNA extraction and PCR were attempted using full-length 16S (27F/1492R) and fungal ITS (ITS1/ITS4) primers. Elemental analysis of oven-dried, milled frass was performed by CHNSO combustion. On a dry-mass basis, the frass contained C 40.68%, H 5.98%, N 4.26%, and S 0.45%. Total potassium was determined after hot-plate acid digestion, the Flame AAS results indicate K content = 1.124 % on a dry basis for this frass sample, equivalent to 15.28 % K₂O . This high K content, together with moderate N and substantial organic C, indicates strong fertilizer potential, pending complementary measurements of phosphorus. Overall in this study, microbes has been successfully isolated from BSF frass, obtained Aspergillus sp. fungus and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus/Bacillus) by morphology and showed a nutrient profile with potassium value of 1.124% K (w/w), Phosphorus value of 0.088% P, moderate nitrogen 4.26% N, and substantial organic carbon 40.68% C. These attributes point to strong biofertilizer potential.