Insects as Food: Advances in Edible Insect Research and Applications
A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Role of Insects in Human Society".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 31
Special Issue Editors
Interests: insect-derived ingredients; insect biorefinery; functional and bioactive compounds; nutritional properties; sustainable food innovation; food formulation design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: food safety of edible insects; microbiological quality; hygiene practices; regulatory aspects; risk assess-ment; consumer safety; sustainable food systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Edible insects are increasingly recognized as a sustainable and nutritious alternative to conventional protein sources. Their efficient feed conversion, reduced environmental footprint, and versatile applications position them as a promising component of future food systems. Scientific progress in this area is essential to address pressing challenges in food security and safety, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and consumer acceptance.
This Special Issue, entitled “Insects as Food: Advances in Edible Insect Research and Applications,” aims to highlight recent scientific, technological, and societal advances in the use of insects as food, with emphasis on their contribution to sustainable diets. By integrating perspectives from food science, entomology, environmental sciences, nutrition, and socioeconomics, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential and limitations of edible insects within modern food systems. Contributions that offer novel methodologies, interdisciplinary approaches, or critical insights bridging science, regulation, and practice are particularly encouraged.
Original research articles, reviews, short communications, and perspective papers are welcome. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Insect farming, harvesting, and processing technologies;
- Food safety, hygiene, and regulatory frameworks;
- Environmental impact and life cycle assessments;
- Nutritional, bioactive, and techno-functional properties of edible insects;
- Development of novel food products and ingredients from insects;
- Consumer perception, acceptance, and market dynamics;
- Socioeconomic, cultural, and ethical aspects of insect consumption.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Sandra F. Borges
Dr. Joana Barbosa
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- edible insects
- insect farming
- insect processing technologies
- nutritional and health-promoting properties
- food safety and regulation
- consumer acceptance
- sustainable food systems
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
