Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly) Larvae Powder Restores Growth and Immune Function in a Rat Model of Malnutrition

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Abstract
This study investigated the potential of Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly) Larvae powder to mitigate malnutrition‐induced impairments in growth and immune function. Sixty male Wistar rats ( n = 15 per group) were assigned to four groups: control, malnourished, malnourished supplemented with H. illucens powder, and H. illucens ‐only. Supplementation was administered daily via oral gavage at 10 g/kg body weight for 21 days. Growth performance, food intake, and health scores were recorded. At the same time, immune function was assessed through lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis, antibody titers, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis of immune‐related genes. Malnutrition markedly reduced final body weight (−36%), food intake (−36%), health scores (−67%), lymphocyte proliferation (−54%), phagocytic activity (−63%), antibody titers (−62%), and immune gene expression (−60%–74%) compared to controls ( p < 0.05). H. illucens supplementation improved these parameters to near‐control levels: body weight (+50%), lymphocyte proliferation (94% recovery), phagocytosis (98%), antibody titers (98%), and immune gene expression (90%–96% of control). Rats receiving H. illucens only showed slightly higher immune responses without adverse effects ( p > 0.05). The beneficial effects of H. illucens powder are likely linked to its bioactive components, including chitin and lauric acid, which support gut health, modulate inflammation, and enhance immune competence.

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