# Dataset for Project: From Waste to Feed: Integrating Duckweed (Lemna spp.) into Circular Aquaculture via Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Production This file describes the research data associated with the manuscript titled "From Waste to Feed: Integrating Duckweed (Lemna spp.) into Circular Aquaculture via Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Production." **Date created:** October 21, 2025 **Version:** 1.0 --- ## Citation If you use this dataset, please cite the original scientific publication and the dataset itself. * **Dataset:** Bartucz, T., Várkonyi, D., et al. (2025). Data from: From Waste to Feed: Integrating Duckweed (Lemna spp.) into Circular Aquaculture via Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Production [Dataset]. *MATE Institutional Repository*. --- ## Description The aim of our study was to investigate the integration of duckweed (Lemna spp.) as an aquaculture by-product into circular farming systems. In this research, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) larvae were reared on duckweed, and the resulting larval meal was subsequently utilized in the feeding of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). During BSF larval rearing, duckweed-containing substrate (DW) and, as a control, chicken layer feed (CLF) was used. The results indicated that larvae on the DW substrate exhibited faster initial growth during the first three days; however, over five days, the CLF group achieved significantly higher final weight (DW: 85.6 ± 6.3 mg; CLF: 97.8 ± 4.9 mg). No significant differences were observed between the DW and CLF groups in terms of crude protein, fat, ash, chitin content, or survival rate (P > 0.05). However significant differences were found for several fatty acids (C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C14:1, C16:1, C17:0, C18:2, C18:3, C20:4). A commercial feed was used as the African catfish control (group C; n=??) while the experimental groups (n=??), had 33% of the complete feed replaced with larval meal produced from the different substrates (DW- DW33; CLF- CLF33). During fry rearing, no significant differences were observed in key performance indicators measured during fry rearing (survival rate, biomass, average body weight, average body length, feed conversion rate, and specific growth rate). The integration of duckweed into circular aquaculture systems represents a promising approach with substantial potential for sustainable feed production and resource utilization. **Keywords:** Larvae, African catfish, Circular economy, Circular aquaculture, Sustainability --- ## File Description * **File Name:** `Research_data_all_fin.xlsx` * **Format:** Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) * **Description:** This file contains all the raw data presented in the manuscript. The data is organized into separate sheets according to the different parts of the experiment. --- ## Data Dictionary The Excel file likely contains the following worksheets, columns and rows. The column and row names might differ, but the content and units are consistent. ### Sheet: `BSFL rearing daily measurement` This sheet contains the daily body weight measurements of the Black Soldier Fly Larve (BSFL) recorded during the rearing period. * **Day:** The specific day of the experiment on which a measurement was taken. * **Number of sample:** An identifier for each individual sample that was measured. * **Weight of 10 larvae in mg:** The measured weight of a group of ten larvae, expressed in milligrams (mg). * **No. of rearing unit:** The identification number for the specific container (e.g., box, tank) where the larvae were raised. This is used to identify experimental replicates. * **mg/10 pcs of larvae:** A column header specifying that the values represent the weight in milligrams per 10 pieces of larvae. * **avg.:** An abbreviation for Average. This is the mean value calculated from all individual measurements (e.g., average body weight) within one group. * **dev.:** An abbreviation for Standard Deviation, which measures the amount of variation in the measurements for all fish within one group. * **avg. DW:** Abbreviation for the Average measurement for the Duckweed (DW) experimental group during black soldier fly larvae rearing. * **avg. CLF:** Abbreviation for the Average measurement for the Chicken Layer Feed (CLF) experimental group during black soldier fly larvae rearing. ### Sheet: `BSFL Fatty Acid Composition` This sheet contains data on the fatty acid composition of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL). * **Number of the sample:** A unique identification number assigned to each sample being analyzed. * **Fatty acid:** The common name of the specific fatty acid that was measured in the sample. * **x DW/1:** This is a pattern for a column header representing a specific measurement. For example, 1 DW/1 would mean Sample 1 from the Duckweed (DW) experimental group, Replicate 1. * **DW avg.:** An abbreviation for the Average value calculated from all replicates within the Duckweed (DW) group for a specific fatty acid. * **DW dev.:** An abbreviation for the Standard Deviation, which measures the amount of variation or dispersion from the average, calculated for the Duckweed (DW) group. * **Cx:y:** The standard chemical notation for a fatty acid. The 'x' represents the number of carbon atoms in the chain, and the 'y' represents the number of double bonds. For example, C10:0 describes a fatty acid with 10 carbon atoms and 0 double bonds. ### Sheet: `HPLC_Chitin_measurements` This sheet contains the measurement data and calculations for the chitin content of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL). * **Sample:** A unique identifier for each individual sample being analyzed (e.g., "1 DW" is sample 1 from the Duckweed group). * **area:** In chromatography (like HPLC), this is the area under a peak in the output data, which is proportional to the amount of the substance detected. * **Injected amount (µg):** The mass of the sample, in micrograms (µg), that was injected into the analytical instrument. * **µg/100mg:** A unit of concentration, representing micrograms (µg) of a substance found per 100 milligrams (mg) of the sample. * **xDW:** A naming pattern for samples, where 'x' is the replicate number and 'DW' identifies the Duckweed experimental group. * **xCLF:** A naming pattern for samples, where 'x' is the replicate number and 'CLF' identifies the Chicken Layer Feed experimental group. * **DW:** An abbreviation used in summary calculations for the Duckweed group. * **CLF:** An abbreviation used in summary calculations for the Chicken Layer Feed group. * **avg.:** An abbreviation for Average, the mean value of a set of numbers. * **dev.::** An abbreviation for Standard Deviation, which measures the variation in a set of data. * **Measured amount (mg):** The initial weight of the sample, in milligrams (mg), before it was processed for analysis. * **µg/500 mg:** A unit of concentration, representing micrograms (µg) of a substance found per 500 milligrams (mg) of the sample. * **%:** Represents a value as a percentage. In this context, it is likely the final chitin content expressed as a percentage of the total sample mass. ### Sheet: `BSFL and Feed nutrient comp.` This sheet contains the nutrient composition data for both the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) and the feed samples. * **Sample ID:** A unique code assigned to each sample for tracking purposes used by the laboratory (e.g., "25/7"). * **Name of sample:** A descriptive name that identifies the sample's type or origin (e.g., "CLF larvae", "Duckweed"). * **Dry matter:** The mass of the sample after all water has been removed, likely expressed in grams per kilogram (g/kg). * **N content:** The amount of Nitrogen in the sample (in g/kg), used to calculate the crude protein content. * **Chitin content:** The measured amount of chitin in the sample (in g/kg). * **N content in chitin:** The calculated amount of Nitrogen that is part of the chitin molecules (in g/kg). * **N content without chitin:** The amount of Nitrogen remaining after subtracting the chitin-based nitrogen; this primarily represents the protein content (in g/kg). * **Crude protein:** The total protein content, calculated from the nitrogen content, corrected with the nitrogen content of the chitin (in g/kg dry matter). * **Fat:** The total fat (lipid) content of the sample (in g/kg dry matter). * **Fiber:** The crude fiber content of the sample (in g/kg dry matter). * **Ash:** The inorganic mineral content of the sample, measured as the residue after combustion (in g/kg dry matter). ### Sheet: `Fish feeding guide` This sheet contains a fish feeding guide with initial stocking parameters and a detailed daily feed schedule for a 40-day rearing period. * **avg. stocking body weight (g):** This is the average weight of a single fish in grams (g) at the start of the feeding trial when they are placed ("stocked") into the tanks. * **fish/tank (pcs):** This is the total number of individual fish, in pieces (pcs), that are in each tank. * **biomass/tank (g):** This is the total combined weight of all fish in a single tank, measured in grams (g). * **Feed/tank for 1st day (g):** This is the specific amount of feed in grams (g) that should be given to a single tank on the first day of the rearing period. * **Day:** This column numbers each day of the rearing period to track the feeding schedule over time. * **Feed/tank (g):** This column shows the daily recommended amount of feed in grams (g) for a single tank. This amount typically increases over time to match the expected growth of the fish. ### Sheet: `Fish final measuring` This sheet contains the final measurement data recorded at the end of the fish rearing trial, including individual fish metrics and summary statistics for each tank. * **1C, 2 DW33, etc.:** This identifies the experimental tanks. The number is the tank's unique ID, and the code (C, DW33, CLF33) indicates the experimental diet group that tank belongs to (C = Control; DW33 = Duckweed Diet; CLF33 = Chicken Layer Feed Diet). * **No. Of fish:** A sequential number assigned to each individual fish measured within a single tank. * **Body weight:** The measured weight of an individual fish, typically in grams (g). * **Body length:** The measured body length of an individual fish, typically in millimeters (mm). * **avg.:** An abbreviation for Average. This is the mean value calculated from all individual measurements (e.g., average body weight) within one tank. * **dev.:** An abbreviation for Standard Deviation, which measures the amount of variation in the measurements for all fish within one tank. * **survival rate (%):** The percentage of fish that survived from the beginning to the end of the experiment in a specific tank. * **total biomass (g):** The total combined weight, in grams (g), of all surviving fish in a single tank at the end of the experiment. ### Sheet: `Fish final summary` This sheet contains a summary of the final results from the fish rearing experiment, with key performance indicators organized by treatment group. * **Survival rate (%):** The percentage of fish that survived from the start to the end of the experiment in a specific tank. * **Biomass/tank (g):** The total combined weight (biomass) in grams (g) of all surviving fish in a single tank at the end of the experiment. * **avg. body weight:** The average weight of an individual fish within a single tank at the end of the experiment. * **avg. Body length:** The average body length of an individual fish within a single tank at the end of the experiment. * **growth performance:** The difference between the biomass at the time of stocking and the final biomass in grams (g). * **FCR:** Abbreviation for Feed Conversion Ratio. It measures how efficiently the fish converted feed into body mass, calculated as (total feed given) / (total weight gain). * **SGR:** Abbreviation for Specific Growth Rate. It represents the percentage increase in the fish's weight per day. * **1 C, 2 DW33, etc.:** These identify the individual experimental tanks. The number is the tank's unique ID, and the code (C, DW33, CLF33) indicates the treatment group it belongs to. * **avg:** This row shows the average value for each performance indicator, calculated from all tanks within the same treatment group. * **dev:** This row shows the standard deviation for each performance indicator, measuring the variation among the tanks within a treatment group. * **biomass/tank at stocking (g):** The total combined weight of all fish in a single tank at the start ("at stocking") of the experiment. * **Total feed/tank (g):** The total amount of feed in grams (g) given to a single tank over the entire experimental period. --- ## Methodology A detailed description of the experimental methods can be found in the "Materials and methods" section of the cited scientific publication. The main steps were: 1. **Black Soldier Fly Larva Rearing:** Larvae were reared for 5 days on two different substrates (duckweed + corn vs. chicken layer feed) under controlled conditions. Their growth was measured daily, and their proximate composition and fatty acid profiles were analyzed at the end of the trial. 2. **African Catfish Rearing:** Defatted meals made from the larvae were incorporated into a commercial fish feed at a 33% inclusion level. The three different diets (Control, DW33, CLF33) were fed to African catfish fry for 40 days in a recirculating aquaculture system. Performance indicators were evaluated at the end of the experiment. --- ## Authors and Contributors * Tamás Bartucz1, Dávid Várkonyi1, László Kathi1, Róbert Ádám1, István Szabó1, Enikő Horváthné Szancsi2, Szabina Kulcsár3, József Horváth1, József Takács4, Ákos Horváth1, Gergely Bernáth1, Balázs Csorbai1 1 Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute for Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Gödöllő 2 Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Budapest 3 Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute of Physiology and Nutration, Gödöllő 4 Agroloop Hungary Ltd., Vecsés --- ## Funding This research was supported by the Research Excellence Programme (G.B.) and the Flagship Research Groups Programme (I.S.; Á.H.) of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The experiments were financed through the EKÖP-MATE/2024/25/K (EKÖP-24-V/MATE-53) university research scholarship programme, funded by the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund. --- ## License This dataset is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license. This means you are free to: * **Share** — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. * **Adapt** — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. Under the condition that you give appropriate **credit** to the original authors and the source, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. --- ## Contact For questions regarding the research or the data, please contact the corresponding author: Balázs Csorbai; csorbai.balazs@uni-mate.hu