Edible Insect Microbiomes: Optimizing Bioconversion, Ensuring Product Safety, and Unlocking Functional Benefits

Edible insect research represents a rapidly growing field in the context of sustainable food systems and circular bioeconomy. Insects such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and crickets have gained attention for their remarkable ability to transform low-value organic matter into nutritious biomass with lower environmental footprints. Central to these processes are intricate microbiomes residing in the insect gut and surrounding environment, which mediate digestion, nutrient cycling, and influence insect health and insect bioactive compounds production. However, our understanding of the microbial ecology underpinning these interactions is still evolving, with unresolved questions surrounding the effect of microbiomes on efficiency, product safety, and the full realisation of insect-based biotechnological applications. While several studies have characterised key bacterial taxa, explored the impact of substrates and rearing conditions, and examined potential safety risks such as pathogen transfer and antimicrobial resistance, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the dynamics, functionality, and practical management of these complex microbial communities.This Research Topic aims to elucidate the microbial mechanisms that drive the bioconversion capacity, safety standards, and functional value of edible insects. We seek to clarify how insect-associated microbiota contribute to substrate degradation, nutrient transformation, defence against pathogens, and the overall microbiological safety of insect-derived food and feed. By leveraging recent advances in multi-omics, high-throughput sequencing, and controlled bioprocessing technologies, this Research Topic strives to foster innovative approaches for mapping, modulating, and harnessing insect-microbe interactions. Our objective is to bridge critical knowledge gaps, inspire methodological innovation, and facilitate cross-disciplinary dialogue to support the sustainable, safe, and efficient scaling of insect-based production systems.To gather further insights into the scope of microbial ecology in edible insect systems, we welcome articles that explore microbial dynamics across the insect life cycle and their role in bioconversion, product quality, and safety. We encourage submissions on, but not limited to, the following themes:o Microbial community composition and functional profiling in insect gut and rearing substrateso Mechanisms of waste transformation, nutrient assimilation, and bioconversion efficiencyo Safety risks including pathogen control, contaminant management, and antimicrobial resistanceo Functional and biotechnological applications of insect-associated microbes, including fermentation and product enhancemento Novel methodologies in metagenomics, metabolomics, and process optimisation for insect-microbe systemsWe invite original research, reviews, mini-reviews, methods papers, and all type of articles accepted by the journal as part of this Research Topic. Topic editors: Vusi Vincent Mshayisa, Maria Teresa Capucchio, Minmin Cai, Kashif ur Rehman Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75693/edible-insect-microbiomes-optimizing-bioconversion-ensuring-product-safety-and-unlocking-functional-benefits