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Open research questions in Insect Utilization and Effects

615 gap statements mined from Insect Utilization and Effects papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,939 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • The impact of heavy metal exposure on the growth and fecal microbiota response of BSFL is not well understood. There is a need to investigate the effect of heavy metal concentrations on BSFL growth and their fecal microbiota response.

    Heavy metal accumulation and fecal microbiota response in black soldier fly larvae: identification of Leminorella grimontii as a potential indicator species · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to optimize the rearing conditions and feed formulation to improve the efficiency and sustainability of black soldier fly production. The potential for undigested fibrous bolus to be retained in the larval gastrointestinal tract, affecting the accuracy of chemical composition and mineral profile analysis.

    Impact of Sugar Beet Pulp-Based Diets on the Chemical Composition, Mineral Profile, and Chitin Yield of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) Larvae · 2026 · DOI

  • The study did not investigate the effects of SBP on larval growth or development. The experiment was conducted with a limited number of dietary treatments. The larvae were harvested without a pre-harvest fasting period, which may have affected the results.

    Impact of Sugar Beet Pulp-Based Diets on the Chemical Composition, Mineral Profile, and Chitin Yield of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.) Larvae · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to address substrate-specific mechanical, nutritional, and enzymatic constraints. The challenge of scaling up insect bioconversion processes for industrial applications.

    Bioconversion of Sugar Beet Pulp by Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae: Nutritional Balancing via Molasses and In-Situ Fungal Inoculation · 2026 · DOI

  • One of the challenges identified is the environmental burden of conventional protein sources in animal feeds. Another challenge is the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. The study also highlights the challenge of overfishing and ecosystem disruption associated with fishmeal production.

    Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Animal Feed Formulations Containing Conventional and Insect-Based Protein Sources · 2025 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of the sublethal effects of herbicides on non-target organisms. The study highlights the need for ecotoxicological research to identify suitable models and develop reliable biomarkers for environmental impact assessment. The paper addresses the gap in knowledge on the ecotoxicological effects of metribuzin on Tenebrio molitor hemocytes.

    Ecotoxicological Effects of the Herbicide Metribuzin on Tenebrio molitor Hemocytes · 2025 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the need for sustainable methods of producing medicinal mushroom biomass. The study highlights the differences between medicinal and culinary mushroom production. The research gap is the lack of studies on the use of liquid-fermented medicinal mushroom biomass in food production.

    Development of Antimicrobial and Antioxidative Chicken Patties Using Liquid-Fermented Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus djamor Fruiting Body Biomass · 2025 · DOI

  • The need for sustainable and efficient protein production methods. The lack of processing methods to make black soldier fly larvae suitable for human consumption.

    Production of Nutritional Protein Hydrolysates by Fermentation of Black Soldier Fly Larvae · 2025 · DOI

  • One of the challenges is the variability in the composition of frass depending on the feeding substrate. Another challenge is the need to understand the optimal dose of frass to trigger a positive response in certain plant parameters. The paper also highlights the challenge of ensuring the quality and safety of the frass as an organic fertilizer.

    Larval Frass of Hermetia illucens as Organic Fertilizer: Composition and Beneficial Effects on Different Crops · 2024 · DOI

  • There is a lack of studies on the use of frass from edible and commercial insects as organic fertilizers. The composition of frass varies depending on the feeding substrate, and there is a need to understand its impact on plant growth.

    Larval Frass of Hermetia illucens as Organic Fertilizer: Composition and Beneficial Effects on Different Crops · 2024 · DOI

  • Food neophobia and unfamiliarity are barriers to the consumption of novel foods. Sensory properties are challenging for more familiar ingredients. The paper identifies the need for strategies to encourage the use of new ingredients or novel foods.

    Determinants of Consumers’ Acceptance and Adoption of Novel Food in View of More Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review · 2024 · DOI

  • The need to optimize feeding strategies for black soldier fly larvae to enhance their effectiveness in sustainable waste management and protein production. The lack of understanding of how different substrate compositions impact the growth and waste reduction efficiency of black soldier fly larvae.

    Evaluating the Influence of Nutrient-Rich Substrates on the Growth and Waste Reduction Efficiency of Black Soldier Fly Larvae · 2024 · DOI

  • Yet, the roles of feed composition and thermal hygienisation in shaping these communities remain underexplored.

    Towards Functional Fertilisers: Feed Composition Shapes Microbial Community Structure and Viability in Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens ) Frass · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the extent to which rearing substrate and processing influence these components remains poorly understood.

    Waste-derived feedstocks and industrial microwave drying influence antioxidant capacity and immune-associated protein composition in black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) · 2026 · DOI

  • However, how dietary carbohydrate structure modulates gut microbial assembly remains unclear.

    Dietary carbohydrate structure affects the gut microbial diversity, succession, and compartmentalization in black soldier fly larvae · 2026 · DOI

  • The environmental performance of insect meal as a protein source in animal feed is not well understood. The study aims to fill this gap by comparing the environmental performance of four compound pig feed formulations.

    Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Animal Feed Formulations Containing Conventional and Insect-Based Protein Sources · 2025 · DOI

  • This article explores the cariogenic potential of insect flours, highlighting their nutritional benefits and sustainability, while emphasizing the need for further research on their impact on oral health.

    Insect flour and dental caries: Friends or foes? · 2025 · DOI

  • Regarding the thermal profile, this study presents results above 250 °C that have not been reported before for these insects and relate to the decomposition of acetylglucosamine units and the evaporation of low molecular weight volatile products that have not been reported for the flours of these insects.

    Chemical composition, thermal profile and functional properties of grasshopper ( Sphenarium purpurascens Ch.), cockroach ( Nauphoeta cinerea ) flours and their mixtures · 2024 · DOI

  • The lack of global harmonization of regulatory standards for alternative proteins. The high production costs of some alternative proteins. The need for consumer education on the safety and nutritional adequacy of alternative proteins.

    Valorising Insect, Plant and Microbial Protein Sources for Sustainable Livestock · 2026 · DOI

  • Future studies employing multi-factorial response surface designs are recommended to isolate the individual contributions of sugar concentration, protein supplementation, and fiber…

    Bioconversion of Sugar Beet Pulp by Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae: Nutritional Balancing via Molasses and In-Situ Fungal Inoculation · 2026 · DOI

  • Pairing microbiological surveillance with peptide characterization, - Research on process parameters for edible insects, - Studies on the effect of thermal treatment on peptide…

    Entomophagy at India’s nutrition-sustainability nexus: biodiversity, nutritional evidence, food safety, regulatory gaps and a conceptual commercialization roadmap · 2026 · DOI

  • Taxonomic under-documentation outside the northeast. The absence of a species-specific FSSAI standard. Culturally mediated food neophobia.

    Entomophagy at India’s nutrition-sustainability nexus: biodiversity, nutritional evidence, food safety, regulatory gaps and a conceptual commercialization roadmap · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigation of fermented insect extracts in medical foods and functional cosmetics, - Development of bioconversion technologies using insect-derived materials, - Further study of the effects of SMFE on antioxidant-related enzymes and glutathione…

    Enhanced Antioxidant Properties of Saccharomyces-Fermented Defatted Tenebrio molitor Larvae Extract: A Sustainable Alternative Protein Source · 2025 · DOI

  • Economic challenges faced by insect-rearing facilities, particularly in temperate countries, - High operational costs due to reliance on electricity for heating and lighting, - Need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks to ensure food…

    Unlocking the Potential of Insect-Based Proteins: Sustainable Solutions for Global Food Security and Nutrition · 2024 · DOI

  • Developing innovative processing technologies to enhance the palatability and marketability of insect-based products, - Examining strategies to mitigate potential risks such as contamination with pathogens, heavy metals, and allergens, - Investigating the economic viability of insect farming in different…

    Unlocking the Potential of Insect-Based Proteins: Sustainable Solutions for Global Food Security and Nutrition · 2024 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Insect Utilization and Effects

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) The impact of heavy metal exposure on the growth and fecal microbiota response of BSFL is not well understood (“Heavy metal accumulation and fecal microbiota response in black soldier fly…”, 2026); (2) The roles of feed composition and thermal hygienisation in shaping these communities remain underexplored (“Towards Functional Fertilisers: Feed Composition Shapes Microbial Community…”, 2026); (3) The extent to which rearing substrate and processing influence these components remains poorly understood (“Waste-derived feedstocks and industrial microwave drying influence antioxidant…”, 2026); (4) How dietary carbohydrate structure modulates gut microbial assembly remains unclear (“Dietary carbohydrate structure affects the gut microbial diversity, succession,…”, 2026); (5) The lack of global harmonization of regulatory standards for alternative proteins (“Valorising Insect, Plant and Microbial Protein Sources for Sustainable Livestock”, 2026). 615 gap statements have been mined from Insect Utilization and Effects papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,939 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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