CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACT FROM BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE (HERMETIA ILLUCENS) AGAINST HARMFUL BACTERIA

Abstract

The rise of antibiotic resistance has necessitated the search for alternative antimicrobial agents. This study investigates the antimicrobial effects of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) extract against harmful bacteria. Crushing (C) and drying (D) treatment methods were employed, followed by maceration and evaporation under reduced pressure. After testi ng eight solvents in a preliminary test, three solvents were selected based on polarity, yield, and antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was tested against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli . The preliminary test revealed that all extracts showed significant inhibition against the tested Gram - positive bacteria with no observed inhibitory effect against the tested Gram-negative bacteria. Further examination revealed that th e extract concentration is an important factor in the antimicrobial effects of these extracts. The treatment of Gram -negative bacteria exaggerates a higher extract concentration than the Gram -positive bacteria. The results showed that methanol extract is o ptimal in targeting both tested Gram -positive and Gram -negative at a minimum concentration of 20 mg/ mL, hexane extract is optimal against the tested Gram -positive bacteria at a concentration of 10 mg/mL, and methylene chloride extract has comparatively low er activity at a minimum concentration of 20 mg/mL. These findings suggest that black soldier fly larvae extract could be used as a natural antimicrobial agent, with significant implications for the development of new alternatives for traditional antibioti cs.