author(s)
Kwan Ho Park, Kyu Won Kwak, Sung Hee Nam, Ji Young Choi, Seok Hyun Lee, Hong Geun Kim, Seong Hyun Kim

abstract
The antibacterial activity of the extracts of whole black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) was evaluated and was tested against six strains of plant pathogens. The extracts were prepared by homogenization after mixing grinded larvae with 0.01% acetic acid at 4 °C for 12 hr. Two methods, agar well diffusion and growth curve assay, were used to study the antibacterial activity against these pathogens. In our study, the antibacterial properties of the extracts were demonstrated by growth inhibition of all six tested bacterial pathogens. Inhibition zone assay and fluorescence assay confirmed that larval extracts have significant antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens. The data provide further evidence that larval extracts play a role in the defense against microorganisms.