Insect chitosan

Applied research
Expanding the value chain – biological extraction of chitosan for insect-based waste bioconversion

Description

Insects such as the black soldier fly convert organic residues into proteins, lipids and chitin for feed and food, which helps close resource loops. This project adds chitosan, a biopolymer used in agriculture, wastewater treatment, sanitation and pharmaceuticals, to this waste-valorisation process.

The work includes measuring amino acid and N-acetylglucosamine content in larvae, recovering protein and chitin from residual biomass, and extracting chitin and chitosan by enzymatic and chemical methods. The team also plans to identify new enzymes to optimise bioconversion, and to use bioassays to test biocidal efficacy. It is a proof-of-concept study meant to broaden LIVINfarms’ product portfolio and improve the sustainability of chitosan production. RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis was carried out at the University of Innsbruck.

Publications

Chitosan obtained from black soldier fly larval cuticles expands the value chain and is effective as a biocontrol agent to combat plant pathogens
Escobar Rodríguez C., Zaremska V., Klammsteiner T., Kampatsikas I., Münstermann N., Weichold O., Gruber S. Carbohydr Polym 349, 123023 PDF