Emerging applications of insect (protein, lipid) and insect waste (chitosan, frass, exuviae) -derived materials in sustainable technologies: A review.

Abstract

Insect farming is an emerging industry that produces larvae, adults, and various byproducts for applications in human food, animal feed, biofuels, and biorefinery processes, as it contains many important macromolecules, such as protein and lipids. Recent advances have highlighted the potential of insect-derived waste, such as chitin, frass, and exuviae, as sustainable resources for producing functional materials. Among these, biochar derived from insect farming residues under high-temperature, anoxic conditions has shown promise in microbial fuel cells due to its porous structure, high surface area, and inherent heteroatom content. When engineered into three-dimensional electrode scaffolds, this biochar facilitates enhanced redox reactions and improves electricity generation by supporting the formation of electroactive biofilms. Despite these advantages, challenges remain in optimizing its electrocatalytic activity, stability, and scalability. Further research is needed to refine the processing parameters, elucidate the role of physicochemical properties in electrochemical performance, and improve larval cultivation under disease-resistant, resource-efficient conditions. These efforts will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of insect-derived materials for renewable energy production and advancing a circular bioeconomy by reducing waste and CO₂ emissions.

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Identifiers

DOI

10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.150017

PubMed

41475089

Journal

International journal of biological macromolecules

Year

2026