Insect proteins for alternative proteins: Sustainable solutions for molecular efficiency

The global demand for sustainable protein sources has positioned insects as a viable alternative to traditional livestock because of their impressive molecular efficiency and minimal ecological footprint. This chapter presents a detailed overview of biochemical design, nutritional, and industrial potential of protein sourced from insects, including high digestibility of amino acids, and rich content of bioactive peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. We highlight the efficiency of species such as Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor, and Acheta domesticus to bioconvert organic waste products into commercially valuable protein biomass. From an industrial perspective, insect-derived enzymes and antimicrobial peptides possess high stability and bioactivity, driving innovation in pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and cosmetics. Notably, silk and resilin proteins from Bombyx mori and spiders show high mechanical durability, elasticity, and biocompatibility for regenerative medicine and smart biomaterial design. More broadly, environmental studies show that insect farming has the potential to lower greenhouse gases by up to 90 % and reduce water consumption by as much as 70 % relative to traditional livestock options, confirming their value in future circular bioeconomy models. Processing techniques, such as enzymatic hydrolysis, defatting, and thermal treatments can enhance functional properties such as solubility, emulsification, and digestibility, enabling their use in food, feed, and nutraceutical applications. Collectively, this study presents insect proteins as a scalable, multifunctional platform bridging sustainable food production, biomaterial innovation, and environmental restoration step toward resilient global protein systems.