Insect-Derived Biomaterials from Sericultural Biomass: From Waste Valorization to Sustainable Nanotechnology and Bioeconomy Applications

The transition toward a sustainable bioeconomy has accelerated global interest in the valorization of agricultural and insect-derived biomass. Sericulture, traditionally focused on silk fiber production, generates substantial quantities of underutilized byproducts such as silkworm pupae and sericin. These materials are increasingly recognized as valuable resources for developing advanced biomaterials, functional nanostructures, and environmentally sustainable technologies. In the face of climate change, resource constraints, and growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives, efficient utilization of sericultural biomass has become both a scientific priority and an industrial necessity. Despite this potential, current utilization pathways remain limited and fragmented, with insufficient integration between fundamental research and scalable applications. Recent advances in biomaterials science, nanotechnology, green synthesis, and bioprocessing now offer transformative opportunities to convert these resources into high-value products, including bioactive compounds and functional materials aligned with circular bioeconomy principles. This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary platform that bridges insect science, biomaterials engineering, and nanotechnology. It will bring together original research articles, reviews, and perspectives focusing on the transformation of sericultural biomass into value-added applications. Key areas may include the development and modification of silk protein-based biomaterials (fibroin and sericin), nano-enabled systems such as silk-based nanoparticles and nanoconjugates, and hybrid functional materials with enhanced performance characteristics. This Research Topic will also highlight the valorization of silkworm pupae as a sustainable source of proteins, lipids, and bioactive compounds for applications in nutraceuticals, animal feed, and functional products. Emphasis will be placed on green synthesis approaches, process optimization, life-cycle assessment, and scalable technologies that enable industrial translation. This Research Topic is intended for researchers, students, industry professionals, and policymakers working at the interface of insect science, biomaterials, nanotechnology, and sustainability. By addressing challenges such as fragmented knowledge and limited translational pathways, the collection provides an integrated framework that connects fundamental science with real-world applications to support the global transition toward a circular bioeconomy. Topic editors: CHRYSANTUS MBI TANGA, Debnirmalya Gangopadhyay Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83722/insect-derived-biomaterials-from-sericultural-biomass-from-waste-valorization-to-sustainable-nanotechnology-and-bioeconomy-applications