Food and packaging applications of black soldier fly larvae fractions: from processing and functionality to safety and consumer acceptance

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) provide multiple processing-defined fractions for food and food-contact applications. This review evaluates four major fractions: (1) proteins for nutritional and techno-functional applications, (2) lipids for formulation, (3) peptide-rich fractions with candidate bioactivities, and (4) chitin/chitosan for food-contact materials. Protein fractions have the broadest direct food application evidence, while translation requires food safety validation and consumer evaluation across sensory response stated willingness and indirect food pathways.