Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2): 225-238.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-1524.20250315

• Animal Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Highly efficient extraction technology of chitooligosaccharides in the chrysalis shell of Hermetia illucens

LIU He1,2(), KOU Rui1,2, LI Junli1,2, PENG Shiliang1,2, LIAN Tianjing1,2, MAI Liwen1,2, YANG Xia1,2, WANG Dingmei1,2, SHAO Mingying3,*()   

  1. 1. Environmental and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China
    2. Hainan Danzhou Tropical Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Danzhou 571737, Hainan, China
    3. Hainan Vocational University, Haikou 570216, China
  • Received:2025-04-17 Online:2026-02-25 Published:2026-03-24

Abstract:

To address the environmental concerns associated with traditional extraction methods for chitooligosaccharides from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) chrysalis shells, this study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis process for the efficient conversion of these shells into chitooligosaccharides. Using black soldier fly chrysalis shells as the raw material, physical pretreatment was performed via ultrafine grinding combined with ultrasonication. Organic acids, including formic acid, oxalic acid, and citric acid, were used for demineralization. Subsequently, enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted using various chitin-hydrolyzing enzymes, such as keratinase, and the effects of temperature, enzyme dosage, and metal ion cofactors on hydrolysis efficiency were investigated. The feasibility of using acidic cellulase as a substitute for chitinase was also explored. The results showed that citric acid was most effective in removing calcium carbonate from the chrysalis shells; ultrasonication did not significantly enhance subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency; chitinase hydrolysis efficiency increased with higher temperature and enzyme dosage; metal ions exhibited either promotive or inhibitory effects on the activity of different chitin-hydrolyzing enzymes; and acidic cellulase could effectively degrade chitin in the shells, performing comparably to chitinase. This study established a green extraction process for chitooligosaccharides from black soldier fly chrysalis shells based on organic acid demineralization and enzymatic degradation. It confirmed that acidic cellulase can serve as an effective alternative to chitinase, providing a feasible pretreatment strategy and enzyme selection basis for the high-value utilization of black soldier fly chrysalis shells. This contributes to enhancing the utilization efficiency of black soldier fly biomass and promoting the circular development of agricultural organic waste.

Key words: Hermetia illucens L., chrysalis shell, chitin, chitooligosaccharide, organic acid, enzymatic degradation, acidic cellulase

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