Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.6
2.9
Journals
Insects
Special Issues
Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition
share announcement

Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Role of Insects in Human Society".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2026 | Viewed by 3987

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Patrizia Falabella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: insect immunity; molecular bases of host–parasitoid interaction; molecular bases of insect olfactive perception; bioconversion processes by Hermetia illucens; insects as a source of antimicrobial peptides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Carmen Scieuzo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: host–parasitoid interactions; proteins, chitin and lipids from insects; insect olfactory perception
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insect culture has some environmental advantages compared to other forms of animal production; as such, insects are currently considered part of the circular economy. Nevertheless, the use of insects has not yet been widely adopted by humans. Insects have been proposed as a source of protein and valuable fatty acids, and chitin has been described as a probiotic and as suitable for use in recyclable containers. Insects are also useful in medical therapies.

This Special Issue of Insects aims to present multidisciplinary approaches focused on the use of insects and their derivatives for human purposes, such as for nutritional, medical, and legal purposes, in rearing systems, for food safety, and as environmental markers.

Considering the success of our previous Special Issues, entitled "Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses" and “Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 2nd Edition”, we are pleased to launch “Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition”. Submissions of both original research and reviews are welcome for consideration for publication.

Prof. Dr. Patrizia Falabella
Dr. Carmen Scieuzo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • amino acids
  • bioactivities
  • chitin
  • fatty acids
  • insect use
  • insect culture
  • legal status
  • nutritive value
  • probiotic

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 1174 KB  
Article
The Response of Monoecious and Dioecious Cultivars of Agricultural Hemp to an Organic Fertiliser Derived from Black Soldier Fly Frass
by Gordon Kavanagh, Susanne Schilling, Rainer Melzer and Simon Hodge
Insects 2025, 16(9), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16090918 - 2 Sep 2025
Abstract
The development of sustainable food systems requires the appraisal of novel methods of maintaining soil nutrients and the evaluation of alternative crops and sward systems. Accordingly, this study examined how agricultural hemp responded to an organic fertiliser produced from black soldier fly (BSF; [...] Read more.
The development of sustainable food systems requires the appraisal of novel methods of maintaining soil nutrients and the evaluation of alternative crops and sward systems. Accordingly, this study examined how agricultural hemp responded to an organic fertiliser produced from black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) frass. The results indicate that at equivalent N-rates (approx. 0.16 g N per pot), a commercial BSF frass fertiliser (“HexaFrass”) produced similar increases in shoot growth of monoecious and dioecious hemp seedlings as was achieved with established organic fertilisers (chicken manure; Miracle-gro). In one cultivar, CFX-2, it was shown that positive effects on shoot growth could be achieved at low fertiliser rates (≤4 g per pot), and additional fertiliser dd not induce additional shoot growth. Application of HexaFrass increased the shoot content of P, K, and Mg but not N, an important consideration if hemp straw and foliage are to be used as livestock feed. Insect frass fertilisers can supply hemp seedlings with the nutrients required for accelerated shoot growth, but further work is needed to evaluate different fertiliser regimes (e.g., split application; liquid extracts) and to assess how frass fertilisers affect yield and chemical profiles of hemp seeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1080 KB  
Article
Enhancing Food Production by Sustainable Cricket Farming in Thailand: Evaluating Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Cost-Effective Feed Ingredient
by Sopa Cansee, Siripuk Suraporn and Nuntawat Butwong
Insects 2025, 16(8), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080856 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 696
Abstract
The high cost of commercial feed presents a major barrier to scaling environmentally responsible cricket (Acheta domesticus) farming, particularly in low-resource settings. We investigated the use of Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly Larvae, BSFL) combined with locally available ingredients to develop [...] Read more.
The high cost of commercial feed presents a major barrier to scaling environmentally responsible cricket (Acheta domesticus) farming, particularly in low-resource settings. We investigated the use of Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly Larvae, BSFL) combined with locally available ingredients to develop affordable, nutritionally balanced feed for A. domesticus. A three-phase experimental approach was used: (i) feed preference assessment from six ingredients; (ii) performance evaluation of four BSFL-to-commercial feed ratios; and (iii) formulation and testing of three practical recipes using Pearson’s square method. Feed efficiency was measured via feed conversion ratio (FCR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), and yield. A recipe consisting of 20.6% BSFL, 14.6% soybean meal, 29.1% corn meal, 17.8% rice meal, and 17.8% commercial feed achieved the best performance with an FCR of 2.2, ECI of 44.4%, and juvenile larvae yield of 99.9%. This formulation also reduced feed cost by 33% compared to commercial feed. The study confirmed that integrating BSFL with regionally sourced materials using a simple feed design method can enhance food security, reduce input costs, and support the transition toward circular insect farming systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 3382 KB  
Article
Impact of Enzymatically Treated Substrate on Yellow Mealworm Development and Composition
by Michał Krzyżaniak, Olga Kosewska, Przemysław Białoskórski, Kazimierz Warmiński, Mariusz J. Stolarski, Łukasz Graban, Waldemar Lajszner, Łukasz Sikorski, Andreas Wilke and Thomas Eisele
Insects 2025, 16(8), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080842 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 461
Abstract
Nowadays, insects are reared for food and feed. This idea includes the rearing of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.). The study aimed to assess the effect of pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials on the growth, survival, and chemical composition of mealworm larvae. The [...] Read more.
Nowadays, insects are reared for food and feed. This idea includes the rearing of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.). The study aimed to assess the effect of pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials on the growth, survival, and chemical composition of mealworm larvae. The main factor in the experiment was the type of feed. The components of the experimental mixed diets were wheat bran (control feed), enzymatically hydrolysed wheat straw pretreated with steam explosion (WES), enzymatically hydrolysed wheat straw pretreated by the organosolv method (WEO), and enzymatically hydrolysed cup plant pretreated by the organosolv method (CEO) in different combinations with wheat bran. Larval development and survival were monitored and measured. In the final bioassay, larval growth on all feeds containing 10% of pretreated lignocellulosic feed was similar to that of insects reared on the control diet. The specific growth rate of larvae reared on the WEO10 diet was significantly the highest (10.1%). The diet used to feed the insects had a significant effect on the crude protein and crude fat content in their biomass. The highest protein content was found in insects fed wheat bran and fed the CEO10 diet. Protein digestibility averaged 40.7% and did not differ statistically among diets. In conclusion, a moderate inclusion of processed lignocellulosic biomass can be used as a feed component for insect diets. Moreover, insect rearing on such substrates not only enables the utilisation of agricultural residues but also converts them into high-quality protein and fat, which can find applications in the feed, cosmetic, or food industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 1231 KB  
Review
The Role of Insects in Agri-Food Sustainability: Taking Advantage of Ecosystem Services to Achieve Integrated Insect Management
by Karol B. Barragán-Fonseca, Julio Esteban Ortiz, Juan D. García-Arteaga and David Giron
Insects 2025, 16(8), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080866 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1089
Abstract
The global agrifood system faces complex challenges related to biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. Insects, as providers of multiple ecosystem services, offer a largely untapped potential to contribute to sustainability. This article introduces a conceptual framework for understanding the socio-ecological roles [...] Read more.
The global agrifood system faces complex challenges related to biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. Insects, as providers of multiple ecosystem services, offer a largely untapped potential to contribute to sustainability. This article introduces a conceptual framework for understanding the socio-ecological roles (SER) of insects, encompassing not only provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services, but also the risks and challenges associated with their use and management. Through an interdisciplinary synthesis, we analyse four complementary insect management strategies—conservation, pest and vector control, wild insect gathering, and insect farming—and examine the relationship of these strategies to ecosystem services and stakeholder dynamics, as well as the need for policies regulating insect use and conservation. We argue that combining these strategies rather than treating them as isolated approaches enhances the capacity to optimize insect contributions while mitigating trade-offs. This holistic perspective contributes to a systemic, inclusive, evidence-based foundation for decision-making regarding the use of insect biodiversity to achieve resilient, sustainable agrifood systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

46 pages, 5039 KB  
Review
Harnessing Insects as Novel Food Ingredients: Nutritional, Functional, and Processing Perspectives
by Hugo M. Lisboa, Rogério Andrade, Janaina Lima, Leonardo Batista, Maria Eduarda Costa, Ana Sarinho and Matheus Bittencourt Pasquali
Insects 2025, 16(8), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080783 - 30 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1378
Abstract
The rising demand for sustainable protein is driving interest in insects as a raw material for advanced food ingredients. This review collates and critically analyses over 300 studies on the conversion of crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies, and other farmed species into powders, [...] Read more.
The rising demand for sustainable protein is driving interest in insects as a raw material for advanced food ingredients. This review collates and critically analyses over 300 studies on the conversion of crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies, and other farmed species into powders, protein isolates, oils, and chitosan-rich fibers with targeted techno-functional roles. This survey maps how thermal pre-treatments, blanch–dry–mill routes, enzymatic hydrolysis, and isoelectric solubilization–precipitation preserve or enhance the water- and oil-holding capacity, emulsification, foaming, and gelation, while also mitigating off-flavors, allergenicity, and microbial risks. A meta-analysis shows insect flours can absorb up to 3.2 g of water g−1, stabilize oil-in-water emulsions for 14 days at 4 °C, and form gels with 180 kPa strength, outperforming or matching eggs, soy, or whey in specific applications. Case studies demonstrate a successful incorporation at 5–15% into bakery, meat analogs and dairy alternatives without sensory penalties, and chitin-derived chitosan films extend the bread shelf life by three days. Comparative life-cycle data indicate 45–80% lower greenhouse gas emissions and land use than equivalent animal-derived ingredients. Collectively, the evidence positions insect-based ingredients as versatile, safe, and climate-smart tools to enhance food quality and sustainability, while outlining research gaps in allergen mitigation, consumer acceptance, and regulatory harmonization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insects and Their Derivatives for Human Practical Uses 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop