Modelling Bioconversion Processes in Hospital Food Waste Management Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Food waste is a social problem as it reduces safe, nutritious food, increases contamination risks through improper disposal, attracts pests, promotes harmful bacteria growth, and heightens environmental issues that threaten agricultural productivity. The study’s goals are to look into how hospital food waste can be turned into nutrient-rich animal feed and fertiliser by setting standards based on the amount of food waste from inpatients, seeing how different waste treatment methods affect the growth and uptake of nutrients by larvae, and and assess the optimization of bioconversion processes through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The data analysis employed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and WarpPLS (Warp Partial Least Squares) Path Analysis, using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) as the bioreactor medium. Although the C/N ratio does not meet the standards set by the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, results show that BSF larvae consuming rice and non-rice waste can serve as alternative raw materials for animal feed and fertilizer. Implementing Hermetia illucens or BSF for organic waste management is a creative solution that can reduce methane emissions and contribute to sustainable waste management. Using SEM to convert hospital waste into high-value products and minimize disposal supports sustainable waste management and a circular economy.