Review Paper:
Black soldier
fly (BSF): a source of antimicrobial peptides
Ghanwat Kritika, Mane Sneha and Phatake Yogesh
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(11); 131-142;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2911rjce1310142; (2025)
Abstract
Hermetia illucens, commonly known as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) survives on waste decaying
matter in presence of abundant pathogenic bacteria. It metamorphoses in stages like
egg, larva, pupa and adult. The BSF sustains in optimal space, temperature, light
and humidity. Since it resides admist the pathogenic environment, it features variety
of antimicrobial peptides including defensins, cecropins, attacins, diptericins
etc. Different mechanisms used by these AMP’s to target bacterial membrane include
toroidal pore model, carpet like model and barrel stave model whereas non membrane
targeting mechanisms include inhibition of protein biosynthesis, nucleic acid biosynthesis,
protease activity and cell division.
The activity of the AMP depends on the environmental factors like metal ions, pH,
proteases, salt concentrations and temperature. These peptides have ability to kill
various pathogenic microbes like Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli,
Candida albicans etc. These AMP’s are extracted by the processes of immunization
of larvae followed by extraction of AMPs. The extracted peptides are then purified
and stored. The AMPs from BSF will have potential applications across various fields
of medicine, agriculture and food industries due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial
properties.
