Pemanfaatan minyak maggot (Hermetia illucens) sebagai bahan baku alternatif dalam produksi gliserin Utilization of larva black soldier fly oil (<i>Hermetia illucens</i>) as an alternative raw material in glycerin production

Abstract

Glycerin is widely used as a raw material in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries; however, its commercial sources are still predominantly derived from non-halal pork fat. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae are capable of degrading organic waste and producing highly nutritious maggot oil. Maggot oil contains antibacterial lauric acid and other essential fatty acids. This study aims to produce glycerin from maggot oil and evaluate its characteristics in accordance with the technical standards for glycerin in SNI 06-1564-1995. Laboratory experiments were conducted by cultivating BSF larvae, extracting maggot oil, and then producing glycerin through a transesterification-hydrolysis process. The resulting glycerin was tested for its chemical (moisture content, pH, and specific gravity) and physical (color, clarity, and viscosity) characteristics, and then compared with the SNI technical standard for glycerin. The results showed that the glycerin obtained was clear and colorless, neutral in nature, with a moisture content of <5% (meeting the SNI limit of ≤5%), a viscosity of ~1412 mPa·s (20°C), and a specific gravity of 1.260 g/cm³ (20°C). All main parameters of maggot glycerin meet the SNI 06-1564-1995 technical standard. Perfect clarity indicates minimal contamination (soap/salt residues). Overall, maggot oil glycerin meets SNI specifications and has properties close to those of commercial pure glycerin. Thus, maggot oil is suitable as an alternative raw material for glycerin production.