Chitin was collected and extracted along different lifecycle stages of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (larvae, prepupae, pupae, flies, shedding & cocoons). The chitin content in the collected biomass ranged between 8% and 24%, with sheddings and cocoons being most rich in chitin. Purified chitin was subjected to a physicochemical evaluation based on FTIR, XRD, and TGA as well as a deacetylation step. The data indicated that BSF chitin was α-chitin with FTIR profiles matching closely to shrimp chitin and showing some differences compared to squid pen chitin (β-chitin). Small physicochemical differences were observed among the different BSF samples. Prepupae and cocoon chitin was more crystalline while chitin from larvae and sheddings had a lower thermal degradation temperature. In addition, sheddings were more difficult to purify. Further processing to chitosan showed that a deacetylation degree of 89% could be obtained for all samples after 3 h, although sheddings were found to be less reactive in the deacetylation process. Overall, the small differences in physicochemical properties that were detected between the BSF chitin samples did not prevent further processing of chitin to chitosan with the same degree of deacetylation via the same treatment.

Microalgae are a rich resource of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and pigments with nutritional and health benefits. They increasingly find use as ingredients in functional foods and feeds as well as in cosmetics and agricultural products including biostimulants. One of their distinct advantages is their ability to grow on wastewaters and other waste streams, and they are considered an environmentally friendly and cheap method to recover nutrients and remove pollutants from the environment. However, there are limits concerning their applications if grown on certain waste streams. Within, we collate an overview of existing algal applications and current market scenarios for microalgal products as foods and feeds along with relevant legislative requirements concerning their use in Europe and the United States. Microalgal compounds of interest and their extraction and processing methodologies are summarized, and the benefits and caveats of microalgae cultivated in various waste streams and their applications are discussed.

Protein hydrolysates from lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus, LM) were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis with protease from Bacillus licheniformis. A preliminary test performed for five hours of hydrolysis generated an insect protein hydrolysate with 15% of degree of hydrolysis (DH), optimum solubility property and oil holding capacity, but emulsifying and foaming ability were completely impaired. In order to investigate the potential implication of DH on techno-functional properties, a set of protein hydrolysates with a different DH was obtained by sub-sampling at different time points during three hours of enzymatic hydrolysis process. An increase in DH% had positive effects on the solubility property and oil holding ability, while a reduced emulsifying ability was observed up to five hours of hydrolysis. These results demonstrated that the enzymatic hydrolysis, if performed under controlled conditions and not for a long period, represents a valid method to extract high quality protein from insects with tailored techno-functionality, in order to produce tailored ingredients for feed and food purpose.

Algal lipids have gained wide interest in various applications ranging from biofuels to nutraceuticals. Given their complex nature composed of different lipid classes, a deep knowledge between extraction conditions and lipid characteristics is essential. In this paper, we investigated the influence of different pretreatments on lipid extraction with supercritical CO₂ by a lipidomic approach. Pretreatment was found to double the total extraction yield, thereby reaching 23.1 wt.% comparable to the 26.9 wt.% obtained with chloroform/methanol. An increase in acylglycerides was concurrently observed, together with a nearly doubling of free fatty acids indicative of partial hydrolysis. Moreover, an alteration in the distribution of glyco- and phospholipids was noted, especially promoting digalactosyldiglycerides and phosphatidylcholine as compared to monogalactosyldiglycerides and phosphatidylglycerol. At optimized conditions, supercritical CO₂ extraction provided a lipid extract richer in neutral lipids and poorer in phospholipids as compared to chloroform/methanol, though with a very similar fatty acid distribution within each lipid class.