Insect-Derived Chitin and Chitosan: A Still Unexploited Resource for the Edible Insect Sector

Chitin and chitosan are biopolymers that frequently found in nature have a broad range of applications the food, biomedical industrial sectors, due to their high biological activity. The primary source chitin is shellfish, however, shortages supply chain, seasonality issues availability, as well ecological degradation only few problems with main resources. Due spectrum for which can be used, demand its derivatives increasing. Therefore, market looking widely available, greener alternatives commercial sources. Insects appear suitable candidate fill this gap. During insect rearing processing, number side streams generated, e.g., exuviae larvae pupae, dead adults, etc. currently mostly discarded waste. However, these could constitute novel long-term applications. Recent research has demonstrated suitability several edible species production chitosan, wherein exoskeleton black soldier fly field cricket rich chitin, making them good extraction purification among other farmed candidates. Moreover, potential uses been identified insect-derived chitosan. Thus, review aims present recent advances from insects, specifically on purification, agriculture, food nutrition, biomedicine bioplastic production.