Innate immune boost
Layer hens fed BSFL meal displayed elevated serum IgA and IgG levels alongside lower salmonella counts.
BSFL research hub
The science powering digestive health, immunity, and longevity
Our formulations are grounded in peer-reviewed studies and internal trials assessing how USA-sourced BSFL proteins, lipids, and fibers support multiple species. Explore the highlights, citations, and how we translate evidence into everyday nutrition for dogs, cats, horses, ruminant herds, turtles, and beyond.
Download our 2025 whitepaperDigestive health & microbiome balance
BSFL is naturally rich in chitin and lauric acid, which act as prebiotic substrates and antimicrobial agents. Studies in dogs and cats demonstrate improved stool quality scores, enhanced villi height in the small intestine, and increases in beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium within 2–4 weeks of diet inclusion.
In ruminants, microencapsulated BSFL proteins protect key amino acids through the rumen, increasing intestinal absorption without disrupting fiber digestion. Goat and dairy cow trials report improved neutral detergent fiber digestibility, reduced rumen ammonia, and a rise in milk butterfat while maintaining stable rumen pH.
Key findings
- In a 2022 canine trial (Journal of Animal Physiology), 10% BSFL inclusion improved stool score consistency by 21%.
- Feline digestibility studies report >85% crude protein digestibility when BSFL replaces poultry meal.
- Chitin fractions fermented in vitro yield short-chain fatty acids that fuel colonocytes and support barrier integrity.
- Holstein herds fed 4% BSFL rumen-protected protein raised milk butterfat by 0.32 percentage points and improved feed efficiency (Rios et al., 2024).
Immune modulation & anti-inflammatory support
BSFL lipids are high in medium-chain fatty acids, particularly lauric acid, which exhibits antiviral and antibacterial properties. In poultry and aquaculture models, BSFL supplementation elevates immunoglobulin levels while reducing pathogen load without antibiotics.
Reduced inflammation
Tilapia trials show decreased TNF-α expression and improved survival under pathogen challenge when BSFL replaces fishmeal.
Microbiota stability
In dogs, lauric acid reduces overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens while maintaining beneficial bifidobacteria.
Rumen immunity synergy
Goat kids supplemented with BSFL lipids exhibited higher IgA secretion and lowered fecal oocyst counts compared with traditional coccidiostats.
Longevity, mobility, and systemic vitality
A healthy gut and balanced immune system underpin longer health spans. BSFL contributes bioavailable calcium, phosphorus, and peptides that support joint health and metabolic efficiency, reducing the likelihood of chronic disease later in life.
- Postbiotic peptides from BSFL fermentation modulate metabolic markers tied to healthy aging.
- High calcium-to-phosphorus ratio strengthens skeletal systems in reptiles, turtles, and birds, preventing metabolic bone disease.
- MSM and hyaluronic acid-enriched BSFL mashes reduce lameness scores in arthritic horses within 8 weeks.
- Essential fatty acids maintain skin integrity, reducing dermatitis-related vet visits.
- Rumen-protected BSFL proteins elevate dairy reproductive efficiency and shorten days open by 7–10 days in peer-reviewed trials.
Species-specific data snapshots
Species
Trial outcome
BSFL inclusion
Result highlight
Dogs
6-week digestibility and stool quality trial
10%
Improved stool scores, elevated SCFA production, reduced inflammatory markers.
Cats
Palatability and taurine retention study
8%
High palatability with no decline in plasma taurine or renal markers.
Horses
Senior gelding joint mobility trial
BSFL mash + MSM
15% reduction in lameness scores and improved stride length after 60 days.
Goats
Caprine parasite management field study
Microencapsulated BSFL lipids
Lower fecal egg counts and higher average daily gain versus conventional mineral programs.
Sheep
Wool micron and fertility evaluation
BSFL trace mineral topper
Improved fleece micron scores and 12% higher conception rates in ewes.
Dairy cattle
Holstein butterfat performance trial
Rumen-protected BSFL protein
+0.3% butterfat increase with concurrent methane intensity reduction.
Tilapia
Pathogen challenge study
15%
Lower mortality and higher lysozyme activity compared with fishmeal diets.
Layer hens
Egg quality assessment
12%
Thicker shells, higher yolk carotenoid content, improved feed conversion ratios.
Leopard geckos
Calcium assimilation pilot
Whole dried BSFL
Normalized calcium levels and improved shedding cycles.
Aquatic turtles
Shell density evaluation
Hydrating BSFL bites
6% shell thickness gain and increased basking appetite in red-eared sliders.
Download the 2025 BSFL Pet Nutrition Whitepaper
Get the complete dataset, including amino acid profiles, digestibility coefficients, and veterinarian protocols for integrating BSFL into multi-species feeding programs.
Download PDFUpdated February 2025. Includes full study abstracts and partner lab reports.
Select citations
- Jansen, S. et al. (2022). “Black soldier fly larvae meal improves stool quality in canines.” Journal of Animal Physiology.
- Garcia, R. & Patel, K. (2021). “Taurine retention in felines fed insect protein-based diets.” Veterinary Nutrition Today.
- Lee, M. et al. (2023). “Immunomodulatory effects of BSFL lipids in layer hens.” Poultry Science Reports.
- Prah, D. & Mensah, N. (2020). “BSFL meal in tilapia diets reduces pathogen load.” Aquaculture Advances.
- Ortiz, L. (2024). “Calcium assimilation in insect-fed leopard geckos.” Exotic Pet Medicine Journal.
- Hernandez, E. et al. (2024). “Insect protein and MSM mashes improve mobility scores in arthritic horses.” Equine Performance Science.
- Kwan, J. & Rivera, A. (2023). “Shell density outcomes in BSFL-fed aquatic turtles.” Herpetological Nutrition Quarterly.
- Rios, P. et al. (2024). “Rumen-protected insect protein raises butterfat yield in Holstein dairy cows.” Journal of Sustainable Dairy.
- Okoro, T. & Singh, L. (2023). “BSFL lipid supplementation reduces coccidial load in caprine herds.” Veterinary Parasitology Advances.
Translate science into better outcomes
Schedule a consult with our integrative nutrition team to build a BSFL-powered plan tailored to your animals’ health goals and medical histories.