Synthesis and Application of Hydrogels of Insect Origin

Insect hydrogels like other hydrogels are versatile, three-dimensional polymeric networks with significant water-retention capacity, making them valuable in biomedical, agricultural, and environmental applications. This book review explores the techniques for synthesis, and multifaceted applications of insect-derived hydrogels, emphasizing their sustainability, biocompatibility, and functionality. Insects such as darkling beetles/super worm (Zophobas morio), black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), large brown cicada (Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata), wingless flightless cockroach (Eupolyphaga sinensis), silk worm (Antheraea assama), silk worm (Bombyx mori), and many others serve as point source for hydrogel production. Chitosan, silk fibroin, and hemolymph proteins extracted are transformed into hydrogels via physical, ionic, enzymatic, and chemical crosslinking into valid hydrogels for diverse applications in novel food and feed, drivers for drug delivery, pesticide delivery, drinkers for insects, tissue, skin, bone and organ regeneration and more.