Contrasting effects of maltose and lactose on dietary lipid accumulation and fatty acid profiles in Hermetia illucens larvae (Stratiomyidae)

Carpentier, Joachim; Jullien, Zoé; Luttenschlager, Hugo; Wynants, Nicolas; Ferrara, Donatella; Purcaro, Giorgia; Beckers, Yves; Caparros Megido, Rudy

doi:10.1163/23524588-bja10447

Article (Scientific journals)

Contrasting effects of maltose and lactose on dietary lipid accumulation and fatty acid profiles in Hermetia illucens larvae (Stratiomyidae)

Carpentier, Joachim; Jullien, Zoé; Luttenschlager, Hugo et al.

2026 • In Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/348487

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10.1163/23524588-bja10447

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Keywords :

black soldier fly -disaccharides -edible insect -fats

Abstract :

[en] The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L. 1758) is increasingly used for waste bioconversion due to its remarkable nutritional and metabolic plasticity. While substrate composition strongly influences larval lipid content and fatty acid (FA) profiles, the specific role of dietary carbohydrates remains unclear. This study examined the effects of maltose and lactose on lipid recruitment and storage in BSF larvae. Ten isolipidic and isoglucidic diets were formulated using chicken feed as a basal substrate, supplemented with 2% peanut or rapeseed oil and either 4% or 8% maltose or lactose. Larval lipid content increased with sugar inclusion, independently of sugar type. Maltose enhanced lauric acid (C12:0) accumulation. By contrast, lactose-fed larvae displayed similar FA profiles across inclusion levels. Nevertheless, net lipid removal from the substrate was lower in lactose-fed treatments, as reflected by the higher frass lipid content at the end of the experiment. Both sugars activated fatty acid synthesis, yet lactose appeared to additionally elicit delta-9 desaturase activity, increasing oleic acid (C18:1n9) levels. These results highlight how the type of carbohydrate modulates lipid deposition in BSF larvae. Manipulating dietary sugars could be a strategy to optimise larval lipid profiles for industrial applications. The study also outlines new hypotheses regarding carbohydrate-specific metabolic regulation in this species.

Disciplines :

Entomology & pest control

Author, co-author :

Carpentier, Joachim ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Entomologie, Phytopathologie et Productions Innovantes (EPPI)

Jullien, Zoé

Luttenschlager, Hugo ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Entomologie, Phytopathologie et Productions Innovantes (EPPI)

Wynants, Nicolas

Ferrara, Donatella ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre

Purcaro, Giorgia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Chemistry for Sustainable Food and Environmental Systems (CSFES)

Beckers, Yves ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Animal Sciences (AS)

Caparros Megido, Rudy ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Entomologie, Phytopathologie et Productions Innovantes (EPPI)

Language :

English

Title :

Contrasting effects of maltose and lactose on dietary lipid accumulation and fatty acid profiles in Hermetia illucens larvae (Stratiomyidae)

Publication date :

30 July 2026

Journal title :

Journal of Insects as Food and Feed

eISSN :

2352-4588

Publisher :

Wageningen Academic, Wageningen, Netherlands

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 04 September 2026

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