A Potential Insect Antimicrobial of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) against Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

Antimicrobial activity of black soldier fly larvae extract against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacteria has been discovered. Water-soluble extracts have the most potential and effectiveness as antimicrobials, with MIC values ranging from 12.5 to 25 mg/mL for both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. BSF larvae also create peptides called defensins and cecropins, which have antibacterial properties. Defensins were the best and most effective peptides in inhibiting bacterial growth, inhibiting both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (MIC value = > 29.97 µM), while cecropins were more effective on gram-negative bacteria (MIC value= 0.52 – 2.07 µM) than gram-positive bacteria (MIC value not detected).