Μελέτη και ανάπτυξη πλατφόρμας επεξεργαστή ανοικτού λογισμικού για την υλοποίηση μετεωρολογιακού δικτύου

This study aimed to gain insight into the microbial quality, safety and bacterial community composition of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) reared at different facilities on a variety of organic waste streams. For seven rearing cycles, both on laboratory-scale and in large-scale facilities at several locations, the microbiota of the larvae was studied. Also samples of the substrate used and the residue (= leftover substrate after rearing, existing of non-consumed substrate, exuviae and faeces) were investigated. Depending on the sample, it was subjected to plate counting, Illumina Miseq sequencing and/or detection of specific food pathogens. The results revealed that the substrates applied at the various locations differed substantially in microbial numbers as well as in the bacterial community composition. Furthermore, little similarity was observed between the microbiota of the substrate and that of the larvae reared on that substrate. Despite substantial differences between the microbiota of larvae reared at several locations, 48 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were shared by all larvae, among which most belonged to the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Although the substrate is assumed to be an important source of bacteria, our results suggest that a variety of supposedly interacting factors-both abiotic and biotic-are likely to affect the microbiota in the larvae. In some larvae and/or residue samples, potential foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Bacillus cereus were detected, emphasising that decontamination technologies are required when the larvae are used in feed, just as for other feed ingredients, or eventually in food

Nematode and Arthropod Genomes Provide New Insights into the Evolution of Class 2 B1 GPCRs

Nematodes and arthropods are the most speciose animal groups and possess Class 2 B1 G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Existing models of invertebrate Class 2 B1 GPCR evolution are mainly centered on Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster and a few other nematode and arthropod representatives. The present study reevaluates the evolution of metazoan Class 2 B1 GPCRs and orthologues by exploring the receptors in several nematode and arthropod genomes and comparing them to the human receptors. Three novel receptor phylogenetic clusters were identified and designated cluster A, cluster B and PDF-R-related cluster. Clusters A and B were identified in several nematode and arthropod genomes but were absent from D. melanogaster and Culicidae genomes, whereas the majority of the members of the PDF-R-related cluster were from nematodes. Cluster A receptors were nematode and arthropod-specific but shared a conserved gene environment with human receptor loci. Cluster B members were orthologous to human GCGR, PTHR and Secretin members with which they probably shared a common origin. PDF-R and PDF-R related clusters were present in representatives of both nematodes and arthropods. The results of comparative analysis of GPCR evolution and diversity in protostomes confirm previous notions that C. elegans and D. melanogaster genomes are not good representatives of nematode and arthropod phyla. We hypothesize that at least four ancestral Class 2 B1 genes emerged early in the metazoan radiation, which after the protostome-deuterostome split underwent distinct selective pressures that resulted in duplication and deletion events that originated the current Class 2 B1 GPCRs in nematode and arthropod genomes.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) project PTDC/BIA-BCM/114395/2009, by the European Regional Development Fund through COMPETE and FCT under the project ‘‘PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011.’’ RCF is in receipt of an FCT grant (SFRH/BPD/89811/2012) and JCRC is supported by auxiliary research contract FCT Pluriannual funds attributed to CCMAR. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Influence of strain genetics on larval performance and bioconversion efficiency of Hermetia illucens

Due to increasing welfare and population, demands for more sustainable protein sources are rising in today’s society. Insects are considered such an alternative as they have short life cycles, high feed conversion and can be grown on low-value feedstocks. Particularly the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens is able to convert low-value organic side streams into high-value biomass composed of proteins, lipids and chitin. Therefore, H. illucens larvae can be used for waste reduction paired with the production of high-value biomass, bringing more circularity in our food- and agricultural industry. Although the black soldier fly has been subject of extensive research and suggested as the crown jewel of an emerging insect-livestock sector, characterisations of its genetic resources, crucial for future breeding progress, have been neglected so far. Recent studies using wild and captive strains demonstrate that there is remarkable genetic variation across origins, including signatures of domestication. However, it still remains to be elucidated how genetic differentiation may translate into distinct phenotypic traits, such as economically interesting larval performance and bioconversion. In this study 10 captive H. illucens strains were obtained and reared using a standardized protocol. The strains were genotyped based on the 15 microsatellite markers developed by Kaya et al. (2021). Subsequently, larvae were reared on 3 different diets and larval performance and conversion efficiency was calculated. This allowed to investigate the influence and potential interactions of genotype and diet on these economically interesting traits

Influence of strain genetics on larval performance and bioconversion efficiency for Hermetia illucens

Due to increasing welfare and population, demands for more sustainable protein sources are rising in today’s society. Insects are considered such an alternative as they have short life cycles, high feed conversion and can be grown on low-value feedstocks. Particularly the black soldier fly H. illucens is able to convert low-value organic side streams into high-value biomass composed of proteins, lipids and chitin. Therefore, H. illucens larvae can be used for waste reduction paired with the production of high-value biomass, bringing more circularity in our food- and agricultural industry. Although the black soldier fly has been subject of extensive research and suggested as the crown jewel of an emerging insect-livestock sector, characterisations of its genetic resources, crucial for future breeding progress, have been neglected so far. Recent studies using wild and captive strains demonstrate that there is remarkable genetic variation across origins, including signatures of domestication. However, it still remains to be elucidated how genetic differentiation may translate into distinct phenotypic traits, such as economically interesting larval performance and bioconversion. In this study 10 captive H. illucens strains were obtained and reared using a standardised protocol. The strains were genotyped based on the 15 microsatellite markers developed by Kaya et al. Subsequently, larvae were reared on 3 different diets and larval performance and conversion efficiency was calculated. This allowed to investigate the influence and potential interactions of genotype and diet on these economically interesting traits