Characterization of chitin and chitosan derived from Hermetia illucens, a further step in a circular economy process
University of Basilicata · Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology · +1 more institution
Abstract
Due to their properties and applications, the growing demand for chitin and chitosan has stimulated the market to find more sustainable alternatives to the current commercial source (crustaceans). Bioconverter insects, such as Hermetia illucens, are the appropriate candidates, as chitin is a side stream of insect farms for feed applications. This is the first report on production and characterization of chitin and chitosan from different biomasses derived from H. illucens, valorizing the overproduced larvae in feed applications, the pupal exuviae and the dead adults. Pupal exuviae are the best biomass, both for chitin and chitosan yields and for their abundance and easy supply from insect farms.…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 53.23
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 118
Authors
12Topics & keywords
- Hermetia illucens
- Chitin
- Chitosan
- Crystallinity
- Polysaccharide
- Chemical engineering
- Biology
- Larva