Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a common mycotoxin contaminant in cereals that causes severe economic losses and serious risks to the health of humans and animals. In this paper, we investigated the characteristics of AFB₁ degradation by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) combined with commensal intestinal microorganisms. Germ-free BSFL and non-sterile BSFL were reared on peanut meal spiked with AFB₁ for 10 days. The result showed that germ-free BSFL and non-sterile BSFL could achieve 31.71% and 88.72% AFB₁ degradation, respectively, which indicated the important role of larvae gut microbiota in AFB₁ degradation. Furthermore, twenty-five AFB₁-degrading bacteria were isolated from BSFL gut, and S. acidaminiphila A2 achieved the highest AFB₁ degradation, by 94%. When S. acidaminiphila A2 was re-inoculated to BSFL, the detrimental effect of AFB₁ on the growth performance of BSFL was alleviated, and complete AFB₁ degradation in peanut meal was obtained. In conclusion, the present study may provide a strategy to degrade AFB₁ in feedstuff through bioconversion with BSFL in combination with gut-originated AFB₁-degrading bacteria, while providing a sustainable insect protein and fat source to animals.

(1) Background: There is growing interest in using insects to treat nutrient-rich organic wastes, such as the black soldier fly (BSF), one of the most efficient organic waste recyclers for upcycling nutrients into the food system. Although biochar (BC) was shown to enhance nutrient retention and the final product quality during the composting of livestock and poultry manure in many previous studies, little information is available on the effect of BC on livestock manure bioconversion by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). (2) Methods: This study investigated the effect of adding a small amount of BC to chicken manure (CM) on the bioconversion system of the black soldier fly (including N₂O and NH₃ emissions and the final distribution of nitrogen during the treatment process). (3) Results: The lowest N₂O and NH₃ emission and highest residual nitrogen in the substrate were observed in the 15% BC treatment. The highest bioconversion rate of CM (8.31%) and the peak of larval biomass was obtained in the 5% BC treatment. (4) Conclusions: The results demonstrate the feasibility of adding 5% BC to reduce pollution and achieve a satisfactory BSFL-based CM bioconversion efficiency.