Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) for Biodiesel and/or Animal Feed as a Solution for Waste-Food-Energy Nexus: Bibliometric Analysis

In this research, an emerging study of the utilization of black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae for the preparation of biodiesel (and organic waste treatment) and the generation of alternative feed for improved food production was mapped bibliometrically from the Scopus database. BSF is a promising biological agent for tackling the waste-food-energy (WFE) nexus, which is a problematic vicious cycle that may threaten Earth's sustainability, hence its emergence. With its short life cycle, ability to consume organic waste equal to its own weight on a daily basis, and ability for conversion to larvae with a high protein and lipid content, BSF larvae is the perfect choice as a one-step solution of the WFE nexus. To further perfect the research of BSF for the WFE nexus, this bibliometric analysis, and the citation evolution profile, were carried out with the objectives of characterizing the progress of publications in the last 10 years (2011-2022) in order to determine future research directions in this field, identify the top publications for wider reach to the public, and identify productive authors and leading countries to visualize opportunities for future collaborations.

Automated summary

Black soldier fly larvae show promise as a biological agent in addressing the waste-food-energy nexus. With a short life cycle, the ability to consume organic waste equal to its own weight daily, and the capacity to convert into larvae with high protein and lipid content, they offer a one-step solution to the WFE nexus. This bibliometric analysis aims to characterize the progress of publications over the past decade, identify future research directions, highlight top publications for wider dissemination, and pinpoint productive authors and leading countries for potential collaborations.