Obtaining Chitin/Chitosan-Melanin Complexes from Black Soldier Fly Hermetia Illucens

Abstract

Abstract Chitosan, obtained by deacetylation reaction of chitin, is a regular biopolymer with unique properties, including high biological and sorption activities. Melanin is considered as a natural photo and radio protector. Depending on the source and the isolation method, melanin possesses various physicochemical properties that can complement the radioprotective activity of chitosan and be used to solve important scientific and practical issues. Insects are relatively understudied natural sources of chitin-melanin complexes, whereas these components are linked by strong covalent bonds. This study developed a technology for the production of this natural conjugate, based on which its deacetylated derivative, the chitosan-melanin complex, was obtained, taking the black soldier fly as an example.