A5030240387- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Plant and animal studies
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Viral Infectious Diseases and Gene Expression in Insects
- Silkworms and Sericulture Research
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Beetle Biology and Toxicology Studies
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
University of Milan
2015-2025
Federico II University Hospital
2020-2024
University of Naples Federico II
2020-2024
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology
2024
Mylan (South Africa)
2014
The larva of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) has emerged as an efficient system for bioconversion organic waste. Although many research efforts are devoted to optimization rearing conditions increase yield process, microbiological aspects related this insect still neglected. Here, we describe microbiota midgut H. illucens larvae, showing effect different diets and regions in shaping microbial load diversity. bacterial communities residing three parts midgut, characterized by...
Significance Bacillus thuringiensis and its toxins are widely used for insect control. Notwithstanding the remarkable importance of this pathogen, killing mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. Here we show that microbiota resident in host midgut triggers a lethal septicemia. The infection process is enhanced by reducing immune response control on replication bacteria invading body cavity through toxin-induced epithelial lesions. experimental approach used, leaving unaltered, allows...
The larvae of Hermetia illucens are among the most promising agents for bioconversion low- quality biomass, such as organic waste, into sustainable and nutritionally valuable proteins production animal feed. Despite great interest in this insect, current literature provides information limited to optimization rearing methods H. larvae, with particular focus on their efficiency transforming different types waste nutritional composition terms suitability feed production. Surprisingly, biology...
The worldwide growing consumption of proteins to feed humans and animals has drawn a considerable amount attention insect rearing. Insects reared on organic wastes used as for monogastric can reduce the environmental impact increase sustainability meat/fish production. In this study, we designed an environmentally closed loop food supply in which fruit vegetable waste from markets became rearing substrate Hermetia illucens (BSF— black soldier fly). A fruit-based was compared standard diet...
Modulation of nutrient digestion and absorption is one the post-ingestion mechanisms that guarantees best exploitation food resources, even when they are nutritionally poor or unbalanced, plays a pivotal role in generalist feeders, which experience an extreme variability diet composition. Among insects, larvae black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, can grow on wide range feeding substrates with different content, suggesting set motion processes to match their nutritional requirements....
Plants generate energy flows through natural food webs, driven by competition for resources among organisms, which are part of a complex network multitrophic interactions. Here, we demonstrate that the interaction between tomato plants and phytophagous insect is hidden interplay their respective microbiotas. Tomato colonized soil fungus Trichoderma afroharzianum , beneficial microorganism widely used in agriculture as biocontrol agent, negatively affects development survival lepidopteran...
The aim of this work was to develop processing methods that safeguard the quality and antimicrobial properties
In the last few years, considerable attention has been focused on plastic-degrading capability of insects and their gut microbiota in order to develop novel, effective, green strategies for plastic waste management. Although many analyses based 16S rRNA gene sequencing are available, an in-depth analysis insect microbiome identify genes with potential is still lacking.In present work, we aim fill this gap using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) as model. BSF larvae have proven efficiently bioconvert a...
Abstract The saprophagous larvae of Hermetia illucens show promising potential as effective agents for bioconverting organic waste and by-products into valuable biomass. Their capability to efficiently transform substrates, varying in nutrient content, origin, texture, moisture, is strictly correlated with the morphofunctional complexity their digestive system associated microbiota. In addition, post-ingestion mechanisms are set motion regulate midgut activity depending on feeding substrate,...
The peritrophic matrix (PM) is formed by a network of chitin fibrils associated with proteins, glycoproteins and proteoglycans that lines the insect midgut. It physical barrier involved in digestion processes, protects midgut epithelium from food abrasion, pathogen infections toxic materials. Given its fundamental role physiology, PM represents an excellent target for pest control strategies. Although number viral, bacterial chitinolytic enzymes affecting integrity have already been tested,...
Abstract We previously showed that autophagy and apoptosis occur in the removal of lepidopteran larval midgut during metamorphosis. However, their roles this context molecular pathways underlying activation regulation were only hypothesized. The results present study better clarify timing these two processes: autophagic apoptotic genes are transcribed at beginning metamorphosis, but intervenes after autophagy. To investigate mechanisms promote apoptosis, we designed a set experiments based...
Microbial chitinases are gaining interest as promising candidates for controlling plant pests. These enzymes can be used directly biocontrol agents well in combination with chemical pesticides or other biopesticides, reducing their environmental impact and/or enhancing efficacy. Chitinolytic target two different structures insects: the cuticle and peritrophic matrix (PM). PM, formed by chitin fibrils connected to glycoproteins proteoglycans, represents a physical barrier that plays an...
In insects, a complex and effective immune system that can be rapidly activated by plethora of stimuli has evolved. Although the main cellular humoral mechanisms their activation pathways are highly conserved across timing efficacy triggered responses differ among different species. this scenario, an insect deserving particular attention is black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Indeed, BSF larvae reared on wide range decaying organic substrates and, thanks to...
The transition from a linear to circular production system involves transforming waste into valuable resources. Insect-mediated bioconversion, particularly using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, can offer promising opportunity convert the organic fraction of municipal solid (OFMSW) protein-rich biomass. However, current regulatory restrictions do not allow use this substrate obtain insect proteins for animal feed, prompting exploration other applications, such as bioplastics. Here, we...
Black soldier fly larvae treatment is an emerging technology for the conversion of biowaste into potentially more sustainable and marketable high-value products, according to circular economy principles. Unknown or variable performance different biowastes currently one challenge that prohibits global up-scaling. This study describes simulated midgut digestion black estimate performance. Before simulation, unknown residence time in three regions was determined on diets varying protein...
Printed and flexible electronics hold the potential to revolutionize world of electronic devices. A primary focus today is their circularity, which can be achieved by using biobased materials. In this study, electrically conductive bionanocomposite materials suitable for were fabricated proteins from black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens). The valorization BSF biomacromolecules currently being pursued in framework emerging circular economy models bioconversion Organic Fraction Municipal...