UNS — A Research Group from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, the Food Science Technology (ITP) Hewani Research Group, Faculty of Agriculture (FP) has succeeded in applying food technology by turning Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot into a high protein floating fish pellet. This attempt was carried out to increase the selling value of larva cultivation by “Mazgot BSF Boyolali”, which is located at Trimulyo Village RT 01/RW 11, Penggung Boyolali District.
The larva cultivation led by Muhammad Jafar Khoerudin has a high production level reaching 1,000 Kg daily. However, due to their lack of knowledge, the product was only sold to catfish farmers as fresh catfish food. Even though so, BSF larva has great potential to be processed into high-quality fish pellets. This is in line with previous researches that show high protein content up to 42% with a complete amino acid profile. This protein content is higher than the usual fish pellets at 17%-20%.
“Experts state that the use of protein from insects is more economical, environmentally-friendly, and having an important role biologically. Moreover, insects, especially BSF larva, are not a human foodstuff. Thus, its consumption will not lead to competition with human needs,” Dr. Agung Budiharjo, the Head of Research team, reveals through his release on Tuesday (17/11/2020).
This potential must be followed by the application of appropriate technology to maintain the maggot content and can fulfill fish needs. The technique was chosen by Dr. Agung together with Dr. Adi Magna Patriadi Nuhriawangsa, Lilik Retna Kartikasari, Ph.D., and Bayu Setya Hertanto, S.Pt., M.Sc., is a palleting technique. This technique is chosen because, first, the livestock can get all nutrients content, thus enhancing effectiveness in feeding, and second, pallets food meets the fish pellets commercial market. “The third, it increases the density of food pallets, thus reducing storage room, transportation expense, and easing the food serving. Meanwhile, floating pallets is chosen because it can equalize fish growth, and if the pallets are not eaten by fish it will not damage the pond water environment,” Dr. Agung added.
Funded by the UNS PNBP Grants 2020, there are other activities conducted by Dr. Agung, while assisting the ‘Mazgot BSF Boyolali’, such as preparation of pallet formulas using the Pearson method, mixing technique, food pallets production process, and simple fish pallets physical quality testing. This training aims to improve the knowledge and skills of collaboration partner group members, thus they can produce fish pallets independently. Further, the Research Group also invites the participants to calculate the production cost and determine whether mass production is favorable or not.
“The calculation shows that the cost of goods produced is Rp 4,500/Kg with protein content up to 39,19%. This is quite economical, considering that the price of fish pallets in the market is quite high,” Dr. Agung reveals.
Additionally, the Research Group team also donate equipment for making pellet feed such as an oven, flour tool, and pallets machine. The UNS team hopes that this donation and training can increase the productivity of BSF larva farmers, while in the long run, it could reduce the unemployment rate during the Covid-19 pandemic. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti