Trends and clusters of Hermetia illucens research in circular bioeconomy

Population growth and the projected shortage of animal protein by 2050 necessitate the development of effective methods for recycling organic waste, which amounts to 1.3 billion tons annually. Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) larvae are recognized as a key element of the circular bioeconomy, capable of transforming low-value organic matter into high-quality biomass. The aim of this study is to analyze global research trends to identify strategies for overcoming the technological gap in industrial bioconversion. Based on the PRISMA protocol, a database of 283 Scopus publications (2010–2025) was formed and subjected to cluster and temporal analysis using the VOSviewer software environment. The study identified four thematic clusters structuring the knowledge field from fundamental descriptors to applied valorization models. It was established that the most dynamically developing segment is associated with the concept of deep processing of organic waste (including food waste) by black soldier fly larvae to obtain high-value-added products. Temporal trend analysis revealed a shift in focus from simple waste reduction toward studying the symbiotic interaction between larvae and the microbiome, as well as optimizing the processing of specific waste streams. The findings indicate that the primary barrier for the industry remains the instability of the biochemical composition of the products, which depends on both uncontrolled input substrates and the dominance of manual rearing. The integration of automated cultivation systems is proposed as a solution, enabling management of larval metabolic plasticity and ensuring a stable yield of bioactive substances during the processing of various organic substrates.

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