From insects to biopolymers: a new era in sustainable chitosan production
Synopsis
Chitosan is a biopolymer derived from the deacetylation of chitin, with broad applications in biomedicine, agriculture, water treatment, and the food industry due to its antimicrobial, chelating, and biodegradable properties. Traditionally, chitin is obtained from crustacean exoskeletons; however, this source presents limitations associated with overexploitation, seasonality, and the geographic concentration of production in coastal areas. In this context, insects have emerged as sustainable and promising alternatives for chitosan production, as they exhibit a high chitin content, rapid life cycles, and the potential to generate valuable by-products within circular economy systems. This study analyzes the potential of insects such as Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio, and Blaptica dubia as sources of chitosan, with emphasis on their application opportunities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. A literature review was conducted using scientific databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, focusing on extraction processes, characterization, and applications of insect-derived chitosan in the biomedical, agricultural, and environmental sectors.
The literature shows that insect chitosan can be applied in water clarification and disinfection, agricultural biocontrol, and food preservation, demonstrating effectiveness comparable to conventional sources. Additionally, its production can be integrated into local organic waste management systems, generating added value and reducing environmental impacts. Insect-derived chitosan represents an innovative and sustainable alternative for the Amazon region, with potential applications in health, agriculture, and water treatment. Advancing this research could promote the use of local biomaterials, the development of circular production chains, and the consolidation of bioeconomy as a driver of sustainable development in the Amazon.
Published
April 3, 2026
Categories
Copyright (c) 2026 Zulay Marina Niño Ruiz, Laura Inés Salazar Cotugno (Coordinador de obra); Patricia Yissel Dávalos Cerrón, Azucena Chanatasig, Felipe Cerrera, Andrea Carolina Palacios Rosado, Mateo Patricio Sánchez Sanaguano, Liliana Paulina Lalaleo Córdova, William Calero Cáceres, Santiago Casado, Joshua Pazmiño, Jaime Martí-Herrero, Rocio Cecibel Jiménez Paute, Kevin Campaña, Elena Coyago-Cruz, Andrea Hidalgo-Dávila, Lizbeth Alpusig-Guanoluisa, Belén Apolo, Felipe Rivera-Rueda, Yerovi Sánchez-Arias, Karen Marcella García, Rubianith Suárez, Harol Smith Daza, Geovanna Tafurt, Duverney de Jesús Chaverra, Edita Valle, Evelyn Oña, Mishel Calero, Jonathan Liria, Andrés Sebastian Calderón Velasco, Roque Rivas-Párraga, Inti Llumiquinga, Ana Bravo, Julio Rea, Máximo Moreira, Oscar Vivanco, Nicole Jara, Lilibeth Carrión, Stefanía Cevallos, Paulo Herrera, Esteban Patricio Romero Valladares, Ana Paula Rosero-Jácome, Eliza Jara-Negrete, Gabriel Picón Nava, Nelly Paredes, Wilfredo Ramiro Franco, Wilmer Shiguango, Willin Álvarez, Juan Ponce, Jessica Sánchez, Christian Israel Andrade Romero, Alexandra Vargas, David Sanchez, Negover Briñez, Byron García, Dennis Tomalá, Mery Ramirez, Jenny Rodríguez, Paúl Tufiño Mateus, Enrique Laaz, Willan Revelo, Cecilia Puertas, Juan Andrés Guadamud, Karina Olalla-Tacuri , Darwin Omar Yánez Avalos, Diana Callejas, Sara Álvarez, John Mauricio Castillo Torres, Edith Pamela Tapia Pruna, Daniela Endara, Carolina Castro, Silvia Alejandra Llerena Gordillo, Kevin Stwart Tulcanaza Ruiz, Noroska G.S. Mogollón, Melany Ochoa, María Cristina Peñuela, Jimmy Yumbo, Enith Yánez, Carolina Ñacato, Samira Lluno, Henry Conteron, Pedro Cadena, Corina Campos, Oswaldo Guzman, Micaela Campos, Cindy Vera, Dayana Vera, Christian Coral, Bruce Tumbaco, María Soledad Solorzano, Bryan Valencia, José Sebastián Araujo Soria, Sandra Torres, Enzo Loor, Oscar Ayala, Darwin Rosero, Amparo Condor, Luis Cáceres, Miguel Flores, Elena Ulcuango, Nicole Pilco, David Galarza, Mishell Cabrera, Julieth Chancay, Paola Soto, David Portillo, Diana Cisneros, José Aguirre-Déleg, Pablo Maita-Zambrano, Aimee Delgado-Cruz, Myrian Larco, María Soledad Salazar, María Susana Grijalva, Viviana Stefanía Cárdenas Loor, Mónica Dazzini Langdon, Sheila Tobar Vallejo, Vinicio Velásquez Zambrano, Juan Carlos Soria Aguas (Autor de capítulo)
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
From insects to biopolymers: a new era in sustainable chitosan production. (2026). In III International Congress of Biotechnology and Neotropical Ecosystems. Editorial Unión Científica. https://doi.org/10.63804/CIBEN.25.bbfs.e14
