Insect‐Derived Chitin: A Next‐Generation Sustainable Biomaterial for Multifaceted Applications

ABSTRACT

Chitin ranks as the second most abundant biopolymer on our planet, predominantly sourced from crustaceans such as prawns and crabs. Specific constraints imposed on crustacean‐derived chitin, including geographical restrictions, allergic issues, and environmental concerns, allow us to explore different sources and insects come to light as one of the predominant and sustainable sources of the said biopolymer due to their high biomass yield, mass reproduction, and low‐cost rearing. Despite this potential, there is limited commercialization of insect‐derived chitin and its by‐products and this is the major gap of the framework in the context of chitin availability, resource utilization, and applications. This review highlights the taxonomic order‐wise account of insect chitin characteristics, enlisting 70+ insect species and their applications in critical sectors including biomedical, pharmaceutical, agriculture, environmental management, food, cosmetics, and nanotechnology. Comparative trends suggest that the percentage yield of chitin, bioactive properties, and certain activities particularly vary across insect orders such as the highest yield is usually seen in orthopterans while dictyopteran‐derived chitin and subsequently chitosan reportedly show excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The taxonomic order and species‐wise analysis of insect‐derived chitin and their properties for target applications in various sectors can open new avenues for commercialization and circular bioeconomy. This paper underscores the potential of insect‐derived chitin to meet global biopolymer demands while promoting sustainable practices through an exploration of recent trends, advancements, and future opportunities.