Work

Edible insect larvae as sustainable sources of chitosan: Influence of species and drying method on functional and structural properties

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: 1 1 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), Allomyrina dichotoma (AD), crystallinity index (CrI), deacetylation degree (DD), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), differential thermogravimetry (DTG), fat binding capacity (FBC), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), linear viscoelastic region (LVER), Protaetia brevitarsis (PB), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Tenebrio molitor (TM), water binding capacity (WBC), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Chitosan—a biopolymer produced by the deacetylation of chitin—finds numerous applications and is primarily obtained from the byproducts of marine crustacean processing. Given that this production method has numerous limitations, edible insects have drawn considerable attention as an alternative chitosan source. Herein, chitosan was extracted from the larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis, Allomyrina dichotoma , and Tenebrio molitor subjected to hot-air drying and freeze-drying, and its physicochemical and functional properties were compared with those of commercial shrimp-derived chitosan. Insect species and drying pretreatment influenced chitosan properties. Chitosan from hot-air-dried A. dichotoma showed the highest antioxidant activity, while that from T. molitor exhibited physicochemical and structural features comparable with those of shrimp-derived chitosan. In contrast, chitosan from hot-air-dried P. brevitarsis demonstrated a reduced solubility and deacetylation degree. These findings indicate that species- and process-dependent variations strongly affect functional performance and A. dichotoma and T. molitor are promising alternative chitosan sources. • Chitosan is extracted from edible insect larvae dried using different methods. • Protaetia brevitarsis , Allomyrina dichotoma , and Tenebrio molitor are used as insects. • Properties of insect-derived chitosan are compared with those of commercial chitosan. • Insect species and drying method significantly influence chitosan properties. • Potential of insect-derived chitosan as a functional biomaterial is revealed.

Source: Food Chemistry X

DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2025.103133

Authors: Ji Yoon Cha, Yea-Ji Kim, Jeong Heon Kim, Dong-Hyun Keum, Jaejoon Han, Yun-Sang Choi

Institutions: Korea University, Korea Food Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Insect Utilization and Effects

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,330