Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Larvae

Insect larvae production offers the potential for large-scale synthesis of high-quality protein that can be used as feed or food. However, currently, there are limitations on the source of substrates for the insect larvae to use. One concern is the potential survival of animal pathogens within insec...

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Main Authors: Antoine Lecocq, Anna Luiza Farias Alencar, Christina M. Lazov, Sheikh M. Rajiuddin, Anette Bøtner, Graham J. Belsham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Pathogens
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/12/1038
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author Antoine Lecocq
Anna Luiza Farias Alencar
Christina M. Lazov
Sheikh M. Rajiuddin
Anette Bøtner
Graham J. Belsham
author_facet Antoine Lecocq
Anna Luiza Farias Alencar
Christina M. Lazov
Sheikh M. Rajiuddin
Anette Bøtner
Graham J. Belsham
author_sort Antoine Lecocq
collection DOAJ
description Insect larvae production offers the potential for large-scale synthesis of high-quality protein that can be used as feed or food. However, currently, there are limitations on the source of substrates for the insect larvae to use. One concern is the potential survival of animal pathogens within insect larvae if their feed is contaminated. In this study, the survival of a very stable virus, porcine parvovirus (PPV), within mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) and black soldier fly (BSF) (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) larvae has been analyzed after oral ingestion of the virus. PPV genomic DNA could be readily detected by PCR in both species of larvae up until 9 days post ingestion (DPI), the end of the study period. Furthermore, infection of susceptible PK15 cells by PPV from homogenized mealworm larvae could be detected until at least 3 DPI, using an immunoperoxidase staining method and, up until 9 DPI, with a more sensitive real time PCR assay. Thus, PPV can remain infectious within mealworm larvae during their main growth phase through to their harvesting. However, it may be considered that PPV is exceptional in this respect since it displays unusual stability, e.g., to heat.
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spelling doaj-art-24cb767f2e024e6b8041813301a513042025-08-20T02:57:17ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172024-11-011312103810.3390/pathogens13121038Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) LarvaeAntoine Lecocq0Anna Luiza Farias Alencar1Christina M. Lazov2Sheikh M. Rajiuddin3Anette Bøtner4Graham J. Belsham5Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkInsect larvae production offers the potential for large-scale synthesis of high-quality protein that can be used as feed or food. However, currently, there are limitations on the source of substrates for the insect larvae to use. One concern is the potential survival of animal pathogens within insect larvae if their feed is contaminated. In this study, the survival of a very stable virus, porcine parvovirus (PPV), within mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) and black soldier fly (BSF) (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) larvae has been analyzed after oral ingestion of the virus. PPV genomic DNA could be readily detected by PCR in both species of larvae up until 9 days post ingestion (DPI), the end of the study period. Furthermore, infection of susceptible PK15 cells by PPV from homogenized mealworm larvae could be detected until at least 3 DPI, using an immunoperoxidase staining method and, up until 9 DPI, with a more sensitive real time PCR assay. Thus, PPV can remain infectious within mealworm larvae during their main growth phase through to their harvesting. However, it may be considered that PPV is exceptional in this respect since it displays unusual stability, e.g., to heat.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/12/1038insect larvaevirus survivalvirus ingestionvirus infectivity assays
spellingShingle Antoine Lecocq
Anna Luiza Farias Alencar
Christina M. Lazov
Sheikh M. Rajiuddin
Anette Bøtner
Graham J. Belsham
Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Larvae
Pathogens
insect larvae
virus survival
virus ingestion
virus infectivity assays
title Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Larvae
title_full Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Larvae
title_fullStr Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Larvae
title_full_unstemmed Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Larvae
title_short Use of a Novel Feeding System to Assess the Survival of a Very Stable Mammalian Virus, Porcine Parvovirus, Within Black Soldier Fly (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) Larvae: A Comparison with Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Larvae
title_sort use of a novel feeding system to assess the survival of a very stable mammalian virus porcine parvovirus within black soldier fly i hermetia illucens i larvae a comparison with mealworm i tenebrio molitor i larvae
topic insect larvae
virus survival
virus ingestion
virus infectivity assays
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/12/1038
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