Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: JOYCE CHEVE DE SÁ

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : JOYCE CHEVE DE SÁ
DATE: 12/09/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: on line
TITLE:

Use of the chitosan–melanin complex from the pupal exuviae of
Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) in the development of biodegradable films
for food preservation

 

 

KEY WORDS:

Keywords: Black Soldier Fly; Sustainability; Polysaccharides.

PAGES: 130
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos
SUMMARY:

Plastic pollution represents one of the greatest environmental challenges of the 21st
century, requiring sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymers. In this context, biopolymers,
particularly chitosan, have gained prominence due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility,
and functional properties. Chitosan is obtained through the deacetylation of chitin, and its
application in biodegradable packaging has proven effective in food preservation. However, the
dependence on marine-derived chitosan poses challenges related to seasonality and logistics.
Hermetia illucens L., commonly known as the black soldier fly (BSF), emerges as a promising
and sustainable source of chitin, especially from its pupal exuviae, which exhibit high yield and
favorable characteristics. The conversion of these exuviae into chitosan involves processes such
as defatting, demineralization, deproteinization, bleaching, and deacetylation. The resulting
chitosan can be used to produce cast biofilms with antimicrobial and barrier properties suitable
for the food sector. This study, aligned with the principles of the circular economy, proposes
the valorization of BSF production residues through the use of its pupal exuviae for the
development of biodegradable chitosan films. The study aims to: (i) obtain and characterize the
BSF chitosan–melanin complex; (ii) optimize the parameters for film production; and (iii)
evaluate the effectiveness of films enriched with rosemary extract in preserving beef. By
optimizing the extraction process and analyzing the thermal, structural, and functional
properties of chitosan, as well as the performance of the resulting films, this research seeks to
contribute to the development of sustainable packaging and to the valorization of insect-derived
biomass within the context of the bioeconomy and food innovation.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externo ao Programa - 3103346 - JOAO VICTOR NICOLINI - nullInterno - 2455049 - JOSE LUCENA BARBOSA JUNIOR
Externo à Instituição - MIRIAM DUPAS HUBINGER - UNICAMP