Exploring Biodiesel Potential from Black Soldier Fly Larvae with Base Catalysts

Biodiesel, a sustainable and renewable diesel fuel alternative, has traditionally relied on vegetable oil, but it presents challenges such as high production costs, extensive land requirements, and prolonged harvest times. This study investigates Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a promising alternative. BSFL offers distinct advantages, including a higher oil content, a smaller land footprint, shorter harvest periods (17-22 days), and organic waste reduction capabilities. BSFL-derived oil was extracted and converted into biodiesel using KOH and CaO as catalysts, yielding 92.71% w/w and 90.64% w/w, respectively. Biodiesel produced with KOH exhibited an ester content of 97.89%, a density of 851.69 kg/m3, a viscosity of 3.24 cSt, a heating value of 38.71 MJ/kg, and a carbon residue of 0.014%. CaOproduced biodiesel had an ester content of 64.52%, a density of 883.85 kg/m3, a viscosity of 18.15 cSt, a heating value of 38.12 MJ/kg, and zero carbon residue. BSFL, serving a dual role in waste reduction and biodiesel production, holds promise as a biodiesel source, reducing reliance on fossil fuels towards a sustainable future.