Nowadays, it is urgent to produce in larger quantities and more sustainably to reduce the gap between food supply and demand. In a circular bioeconomy vision, insects receive great attention as a sustainable alternative to satisfy food and nutritional needs. Among all insects, Tenebrio molitor (TM) is the first insect approved by the European Food Safety Authority as a novel food in specific conditions and uses, testifying its growing relevance and potential. This review holistically presents the possible role of TM in the sustainable and circular solution to the growing needs for food and nutrients. We analyze all high value‐added products obtained from TM (powders and extracts, oils and fatty acids, proteins and peptides, and chitin and chitosan), their recovery processes (evaluating the best ones in technical and environmental terms), their nutritional and economical values, and their biological effects. Safety aspects are also mentioned. TM potential is undoubted, but some aspects still need to be discussed, including the health effects of substances and microorganisms in its body, the optimal production conditions (that affect product quality and safety), and TM capacity to convert by‐products into new products. Environmental, economic, social, and market feasibility studies are also required to analyze the new value chains. Finally, to unlock the enormous potential of edible insects as a source of nutritious and sustainable food, it will be necessary to overcome the cultural, psychological, and regulatory barriers still present in Western countries.

Flaxseed lignans frequently feature in the literature. However, much remains to be discovered about the mechanisms underlying their functional and therapeutic properties. Furthermore, it is necessary to identify systems for lignan production and detoxification that are sustainable, cost-effective, easy to use, and scale up. These systems can address the needs of the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors and lead to competitive commercial products. This review analyzes the biological effects of lignans as anticancer, antioxidants, and modulators of estrogen activity. It also focuses on the most recent articles on lignan extraction methods that are sustainable and suitable as products for human consumption. Furthermore, the most up-to-date and relevant patents for lignan recovery are examined. The search and selection methodology for articles and patents was conducted using the most popular bibliographic and patent databases (e.g., Scopus, Pubmed, Espacenet). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first overview that details the patented technologies developed in the flaxseed lignans area in the last 10 years.

The projected growth of the global population to over 10 billion by 2080 necessitates groundbreaking sustainable agricultural solutions that enhance productivity while mitigating environmental impacts. Tenebrio molitor frass (TMF), derived from larval excrement and exuviae, has emerged as a promising organic fertilizer. Enriched with macro- and micronutrients, TMF enhances soil functions through microbial communities that promote nutrient cycling, decompose organic matter, and suppress soilborne pathogens. Additionally, functional compounds like chitin, cellulose, xylans, and lignin improve the soil structure, foster beneficial microbes, and activate natural plant defence responses. The synergy of microbial activity and bioactive compounds positions TMF as a valuable resource for enhancing plant growth and soil health. Its role as a nutrient source, biostimulant, and soil amendment aligns with circular economy principles by recycling agro-industrial by-products and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. TMF also contributes to sustainable agriculture by improving soil fertility, microbial biodiversity, and plant stress resilience, while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient runoff. Additionally, TMF-derived biochar offers the potential for environmental remediation as an effective adsorbent. Despite its advantages, TMF faces challenges in scalability, cost, and regulations, requiring advancements in processing, enrichment, and supportive policies to maximize its potential in sustainable farming.

Carotenoids represent a large group of well-known substances, mainly due to their nature as pigments and their beneficial effects on human health. These compounds are found naturally in microorganisms and plants but are not produced by humans, who must consume them through their diet. However, the mere intake of foods containing even large quantities of carotenoids is insufficient to guarantee their optimum absorption and, therefore, the desired beneficial effects. Due to their physicochemical characteristics, carotenoids are poorly stable and mostly insoluble in polar solvents like water. The conservation and improvement of their properties have become crucial objectives for the nutraceutical and functional food sector. Increasingly innovative delivery systems are being tested and developed. In this context, chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from the deacetylation of chitin, available in the exoskeleton of crustaceans and insects and the cell wall of some fungi and marine microalgae, has proved to be highly advantageous. In this review, we summarize the main characteristics of carotenoids, their benefits on human health, and their bioaccessibility and bioavailability for humans. We analyze the most recent carotenoid delivery systems, focusing on the potential of chitosan in preserving and enhancing the beneficial effects of these valuable pigments.

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder caused by the ingestion of gluten proteins. The gluten-free diet is currently the only therapy to achieve the symptoms’ remission. Biotechnological approaches are currently being explored to obtain safer and healthier food for celiacs. This article analyzes consumer awareness and acceptance of advanced biotechnologies to develop gluten-free products. An online snowball sampling questionnaire was proposed to 511 Italian participants, selected among celiac and non-celiac people, from December 2020 to January 2021, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 64% of respondents favor food biotechnology, as long as it has benefits for health or the environment. Moreover, biotechnology perception differs according to education level and type. A total of 65% of the survey participants would taste gluten-free products obtained through a biotechnological approach, and 57% would buy them at a higher price than the current market price. Our results show a change in public opinion about the usefulness of food biotechnology and its moral acceptability compared to 20 years ago. However, the study of public opinion is very complex, dealing with individuals with social, economic, and cultural differences. Undoubtedly, the scientific dissemination of genetic biotechnologies must be more effective and usable to increase the level of citizens’ awareness.