New publication: Rodríguez Escobar et al. (2024) Carbohydr Polym 349, 123023

This study highlights the innovative use of black soldier fly larvae waste to extract bioactive chitosan, a versatile polymer with applications in agriculture. The process integrates enzyme-assisted extraction methods to produce chitosan with antifungal properties and plant-growth-promoting effects. By reducing reliance on crustacean sources, this approach emphasizes sustainability, contributing to a circular bioeconomy while minimizing environmental impacts. The findings underscore the potential of insect-derived chitosan as an effective and eco-friendly alternative for biocontrol and agricultural resilience.

Link to full study: doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.123023

References

2025

Chitosan obtained from black soldier fly larval cuticles expands the value chain and is effective as a biocontrol agent to combat plant pathogens

Carolina Escobar Rodríguez, Valeriia Zaremska, Thomas Klammsteiner, Ioannis Kampatsikas, Nils Münstermann, Oliver Weichold, and Sabine Gruber

Carboyhdrate Polymers, Feb 2025

Abstract doi Bib PDF

The industrial use of certain insects, such as the black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens), has become a burgeoning way of converting residual biomass into a valuable source of biomolecules for the feed and food industry. Here, the integration of a valuable step as an upcycling technology using biological waste from the 5th instar BSF larvae processing as a source of bioactive chitosan was explored. The goal is to pave the way for sustainable chitosan production from insect-based resources in addition to proteins, lipids, and fertilizers. The macronutrient profile of the larval waste was evaluated for chitosan extraction. After homogenization and mechanical separation of the larval pulp, enzyme-assisted extraction of chitosan from the chitin-rich matrix was performed using different combinations of commercially available proteases and lipases, followed by chemical deacetylation. The antifungal efficacy of the recovered chitosan varied depending on the extracted product and tested fungal plant pathogens. Furthermore, the plant priming effect of chitosan on Beta vulgaris promoted plant vigor and disease resistance. Seed coating resulted in improved germination and primary root growth. Thus, the extraction of chitosan from BSF larval cuticles offers an optimistic outlook for expanding the technological competence of the insect upcycling industries.
@article{escobar_euchis_2024, title = {Chitosan obtained from black soldier fly larval cuticles expands the value chain and is effective as a biocontrol agent to combat plant pathogens}, volume = {349}, copyright = {http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/}, issn = {0144-8617}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0144861724012499}, doi = {10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.123023}, language = {en}, number = {Part B}, urldate = {2024-11-21}, journal = {Carboyhdrate Polymers}, author = {Escobar Rodríguez, Carolina and Zaremska, Valeriia and Klammsteiner, Thomas and Kampatsikas, Ioannis and Münstermann, Nils and Weichold, Oliver and Gruber, Sabine}, month = feb, year = {2025}, publisher = {Elsevier}, keywords = {Biocontrol, Black soldier fly, Chitosan, Insect upcycling}, pages = {123023}, dimensions = true, }