IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 5 Issue 3, March 2018 ISSN (Online) 2348 – 7968 www.ijiset.com Biodegradation of Heterogeneous Mixture of Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) under the Tropical Climate Conditions Daniel Sarpong1*, Sampson. Oduro. Kwarteng1, Samuel. Fosu. Gyasi,2 Richard. Buamah1, Emmanuel. Donkor, 1 Emmanuel. Yaw. Botchway1 & Samuel. Acquah1 1 Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana 2University of Energy & Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana. *Email of corresponding author: [email protected]; Mobile Tel: +233-244488440 Abstract Municipal organic solid waste (MOSW) generation 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, to 4 and control of 2} kg) of is increasing at a faster pace in both developed and heterogeneous mixture of municipal organic solid developing countries due to uncontrolled growth of waste from market, restaurant and households. Each population, urbanization as well as changes in of the set up received equal number of viable larvae production and consumption. Improper disposal of (2,000) which were 5 day old. Waste reduction organic waste pose a huge problem, especially in potential was then measured in terms of total the developing countries due to unavailability of carbon, mass and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus low-cost waste treatment technologies. In the past, and potassium) variation after 14 days. Results of vermicomposting and microbial waste degradation the waste reduction potential of the Hermetia has not been promising. Therefore, there is the need Illucens showed that, the highest waste reduction of to look for alternative biodegradation technology 59.4 % (dry matter) was measured at a feeding rate that would be able to deal with the huge volumes of of 107 mg/larvae/day and this was significant (p = organic waste generated from the municipalities. 0.02). However, the least waste reduction potential Black soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens) larvae has that of the larvae was 48.6 % (dry matter) at a feeding potential to help address these challenges by rate of 42 mg/larvae/day. Results of nutrient degrading wide variety of organic waste faster into concentration analysis also showed that, there was value added by-product such as compost and high percentage increase in nitrogen, phosphorus prepupae as fish feed. The main objective of this and potassium levels, i.e., 58 % (SE ± 0.72 %), 40 study was to assess the potential of Black soldier fly % (SE ± 0.76 %) and 65% (SE ± 0.28 % dry matter larvae to degrade heterogeneous mixture of organic respectively. It was concluded that, the BSF larvae fraction of municipal solid waste under the ambient degraded more than half of the total substrate conations and nutrient added by-product for available within 2 weeks with the final residue agricultural purpose. To assess the biodegradation comparable with commercial organic fertilizer, and waste reduction potential of the Hermetia according to International Standard for Agricultural Illucens Larvae, an organic waste digesters purposes. consisting of plastic containers (75 liters) were employed. The waste biodegradation was Keywords: Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Feeding Rate, determined by varying waste feed treatment ({2, Heterogeneous mixture, Municipal Organic Solid Waste, Nutrients and ambient conditions. 244 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 5 Issue 3, March 2018 ISSN (Online) 2348 – 7968 www.ijiset.com developing countries because of growing urbanization, population, coupled with changes in 1. Introduction production and consumption pattern [1]. Ensuring adequate solid Generation of municipal organic solid waste (MOSW) is on the increase in both developed and waste management is acknowledged globally, as Landfills are reaching their full capacities and one of the key challenges and considered a reducing their available area for future waste and fundamental element for sustainable development this has necessitated the creation of new sites. It [2]. was reported in the year 2000, that only 70% of the An opportunity for improvement remain remaining landfills had a life expectancy of greater particularly pronounced in developing countries or than 10 years (Cameron et al., 2005). Hence, low income settings, where solid waste sustainable technology for waste degradation could management is characterized by low waste reduce the burn on landfills and results in the collection rate, lack of treatment and inadequate production of valuable materials like compost and waste disposal options. Many suitable solution are animal feed. hindered given the fast and unregulated growth of The black soldier fly, (Hermetia Illucens) (Diptera: settlement in topographically often changing lands, Stratiomydae), could provide one of these methods. lack of financial resources, ineffective The black soldier fly, a tropical insect is considered organizational structures, lack of viable business non-pest [19] and its larvae can consume a wide models, low political priority settings by range of organic materials, including fruits, and government and minimum enforcement of policies vegetables to animal manure [20] [21]. The last and legislations [3]; [4]; [5]. stage of instar (prepupae) are a value added feed for livestock. The larvae has about 45% crude protein In developing countries, a predominant and 31% fat, which gives its prepupae an estimated characteristics of municipal solid waste is defined value of 330 per ton when used as feed [22]. as non-liquid waste from households, small The biodegradation process by BSF larvae is business and institutions [2]. It has high proportion affected by a number of factors, including the type, fraction of organic, hence biodegradable matter. quantity and quality of feedstock and several This fraction often constitute more than 50 % of the environmental conditions [23] and [20]. An total waste generated and can be as high as 70-80 % appropriate combination of these factors could [6]; [7]. notably enhance the biodegradation efficiency in Unmanaged organic waste poses a huge threat to terms of reduction of unwanted composites, public and environmental health as it impacts stabilization of organic matter, optimal biomass through olfactory nuisance, attracts insects, rodent production, and degradation time. and other disease vectors and generate leachate that There is limited knowledge and information on may contaminant surfaces and groundwater aquifers other essential factors such as feeding rates, and [8]. Furthermore, uncontrolled disposal of organic overstocking, which relates to larval density [24] waste emits methane, a major greenhouse gas [8]; and [20]. Information on the aforementioned factors [9]. Advancing on organic solid waste is an ideal are pre-requisite for a large scale BSF larvae waste entry point for overall municipal solid waste technology. For this reason, the main objective of management improvement [10]; [2]. this study was to assess the potential of the Black Apart from reducing public health [11] and soldier fly larvae (Hermetia Illucens) to biodegrade environmental burden [12], returning resources heterogeneous mixture of organic fraction of value of waste into the economy, which focus on municipal solid waste and nutrient value addition “closing the loop” through recovery. At the same for agricultural purposes. The study will further time new business opportunities and economic make recommendations for further research of this growth are considered [13]; [14]. Organic waste promising larvae waste treatment technology in treatment in circular economy addresses resources developing countries. scarcity. For instance, the depleting nutrient stock such as phosphorus [15]. It can also act as driving 2. Materials and Methods. force for overall waste management when, for Study Area: The study was conducted on the instance, the economic value of organic –derived campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science products incentivizes waste collection or the new and Technology (near the Civil Engineering & revenue opportunities enhance financial Environmental Quality Laboratory) in Kumasi, sustainability of the facility [16]. Organic solid Ghana. The experiments were carried out under a waste treatment and its benefits has attracted a lot constructed, roofed shelter in a semi-forest area. of interest to researchers globally [17]; [18]. 245 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 5 Issue 3, March 2018 ISSN (Online) 2348 – 7968 www.ijiset.com BSF colony establishment: The adults black experimental set up for the bio-waste degradation. soldier fly (Hermetia Illucens) were captured from To supply the fly colony with new adults, the natural ecosystem and kept in design cages approximately 300 black soldier flies were attracted (BSF colonies), with dimensions (60 x 60 x 45 cm). from the natural ecosystem into the experimental The cages were covered with nylon mesh in order cages and then the procedure aforementioned were to prevent fleeing flies and invasion by parasitoids followed. and predators. For raising the larvae, the methodology of [19] was followed with some modifications. Strips of light Experimental set up and operation: The waste duty black polyene rubber (ordinary food rappers) degradation time, larvae density and feeding rate folded thrice with porch holes (1mm diameter) were were thought and analyzed through the placed on top of the oviposition bowl (5 liters). The experimental