Insect-based biopolymers from Orthoptera: An emerging resource for sustainable and active food packaging

Background: The challenges of the current era in food packaging have led to a continuous diversification of sources of biopolymers. Edible Orthopterans have garnered significant interest worldwide as potential sources of biopolymers for the production of biodegradable and active packaging. These insect species have emerged as a potential and sustainable substitute for conventional protein and chitosan sources due to their high nutritional content and eco-friendly cultivation methods. Scope and approach: This review explores the recent development of sustainable sources of biopolymers, focusing on the edible Orthopterans. We elucidated the main edible Orthoptera species used as the sources of biopolymers for food packaging, extraction methods of biopolymers from Orthopterans, fabrication of packaging materials and their characteristics. Moreover, we analyzed the current applications of these packaging materials for food preservation. Furthermore, we proposed a critical analysis of the health issues, consumer acceptance, legislation and commercialization, along with the future directions. Key findings and conclusions: Acheta domesticus, Gryllodes sigillatus and Locusta migratoria are the Orthopterans used as sources of biopolymers for the production of packaging materials. Chitosan and proteins are the major Orthopteran-derived biopolymers used for the production of sustainable, edible and bioactive food packaging materials. Emerging technologies have shown potential to enhance extraction efficiency while preserving the functionality of the biopolymers. These biopolymers exhibit remarkable potential for the development of food packaging materials, due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and functional properties. More research initiatives and awareness are needed to facilitate the implementation of Orthopteran-derived biopolymers as active packaging materials.