Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, is an important resource for biosourced materials. The global demand for chitin is rapidly increasing, however, the majority of industrial chitin is sourced from crustacean shells, which may be less accessible in regions without seafood waste. Therefore, it is crucial to explore alternative chitin sources, such as those derived from beetles and other arthropods. This study investigated chitin extraction from nine species of Curculionidae (true weevils), which are recognized as crop pests. The extraction process and yields were described, and the isolated chitin was characterized by SEM, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, XRD, and ash and water content measurements. This work highlights the potential of Curculionidae as an alternative chitin source.
Keywords: Curculionidae; biopolymer extraction; chitin; macromolecules; pest insects.