Development of chitosan-clay nanocomposite films from Hermetia illucens: analysis of chemical, physical, and mechanical properties Ianniciello, Dolores Peláez Montosa, Ada Barbosa, Raquel de Melo García-Villén, Fátima Salvia, Rosanna Scieuzo, Carmen Viseras Iborra, César Antonio Falabella, Patrizia Biopolymers Insects Hermetia illucens Chitosan Clay Chitosan has gained great attention due to its properties. In this study, chitosan obtained from an innovative and sustainable source, the bioconverter insect Hermetia illucens, known as Black Soldier Fly (BSF), was used for the development of Chitosan-Clay Nanocomposite Films. Sepiolite and montmorillonite clays were used to produce the membranes. The interaction between insect-derived chitosan and clays was studied and the chemical, thermal, mechanical, and adhesive properties of the films were assessed. The incorporation of clays enhanced thermal stability and hydrophobicity of all formulations. Films prepared with chitosan from H. illucens exhibited greater hydrophobicity than those made with commercial chitosan, particularly in unbleached samples. However, chitosan from H. illucens displayed lower elasticity and tensile strength. Despite this, the addition of clays to pupal exuviae and adult unbleached samples resulted in mechanical properties comparable to commercial chitosan. Adhesive properties of BSF chitosan consistently outperformed commercial chitosan. Unbleached samples demonstrated better performance, suggesting that the bleaching process is unnecessary for film production. Based on the results obtained, insect chitosan could be particularly advantageous in applications requiring improved adhesiveness and enhanced thermal resistance and hydrophobicity, such as in wound dressings for exudative wounds. 2025-06-13T11:59:22Z 2025-06-13T11:59:22Z 2025-04-28 journal article Dolores Ianniciello, Ada Peláez Montosa, Raquel de Melo Barbosa, Fátima García Villén, Rosanna Salvia, Carmen Scieuzo, César Viseras, Patrizia Falabella, Development of chitosan-clay nanocomposite films from Hermetia illucens: analysis of chemical, physical, and mechanical properties, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 311, Part 2, 2025, 143496, ISSN 0141-8130, [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143496] https://hdl.handle.net/10481/104651 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143496 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ open access Atribución 4.0 Internacional Elsevier