The effect of infrared drying temperature on the structural and mechanical properties of the muscular part of black soldier fly larvaes (Hermetia illucens) during feed production

The article is devoted to the use of insects, namely the visceral part of black soldier fly larvae, a source of valuable fodder protein in fodder production. The purpose of this study is to study the effect of drying temperature on the rheological (structural and mechanical) properties of the muscular part of the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). When analyzing the literature data, a review of various sources of feed protein was carried out: soybean meal, sunflower meal, fish meal and meal from black soldier fly larvae. Experimental studies were carried out in order to study the changes in the structural and mechanical properties of the visceral biomass of larvae in the temperature range from 40 °C to 100 °C. When conducting experimental studies, adapted methods of GOST were used. When determining the rheological parameters, standard methods of conducting an experiment using a viscometer were used. The results of the work can be described as follows: the change in the viscosity of the biomass occurred in the range from 25 MPa·s to 5 MPa·s. In this case, there is a transition from the coagulation system to the condensation system at a temperature of 60 °C. Additional studies have also shown that when the drying temperature is increased above 100 °C, accelerated destruction of muscle tissue occurs, which can lead to a change in the taste and texture characteristics of the product. The results obtained can be used in the production of feed and the development of new feed production equipment. Thus, the study of the effect of infrared drying temperature on the rheological properties of the muscle part of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae is an important step in the development of effective methods for drying food products. These results can be used to improve the quality of products, as well as to optimize the technological processes of drying and grinding into fodder meal.