CG-INS-CHCL-WS
Water-Soluble Insect-Derived Chitosan Hydrochloride
Insect Chitosan Hydrochloride (green process) is a high-purity, fully water-soluble chitosan salt produced from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) biomass a renewable, circular-economy byproduct stream, not wild marine shells. No acidic activation required: the powder dissolves directly in water.
| Property | Value | Test method | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Identity | Chitosan Hydrochloride (Water-Soluble) | Certificate of Analysis | COA product name: Chitosan – Water Soluble |
| CAS Number | 70694-72-3 | Product identification | As stated on batch COA CH/02/2025 |
| Biological Source | Insect-derived; identified by the supplier as Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) | Supplier source declaration | Biological source is not stated on the supplied COA |
| Appearance | Off-white or cream powder | Visual inspection | Specification permits off-white/light-brown powder or flakes |
| Purity | 98.5% | Per batch COA | Specification range: 95%–100% |
| Viscosity | 1.3 cS | Per batch COA | Specification range: 1–20 cS |
| Water Solubility | Passes — soluble with stirring | 1 g/100 mL at room temperature | Confirm behavior at the intended formulation concentration |
| pH | 3.40 | 1% solution in distilled water | Specification range: 2.0–5.5 |
| Solubility in DM Water | 9.89% | Per batch COA | Specification range: 8%–10% |
| Insoluble Matter in Water | 0.10% | Per batch COA | Specification: maximum 1% |
| Batch Number | CH/02/2025 | Batch traceability | Current supplied Certificate of Analysis |
| Manufacturing Date | May 2025 | Batch documentation | As stated on the current COA |
| Expiry Date | April 2028 | Batch documentation | Applicable to the documented batch under recommended storage conditions |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Available Quantities | 25 g laboratory sample, 1 kg standard pack and commercial bulk quantities |
| Packaging | Sealed, moisture-resistant packaging appropriate for powdered Chitosan Hydrochloride |
| Current Certificate of Analysis | Batch CH/02/2025 Certificate of Analysis is available for product verification |
| Quality Compliance | The documented batch meets its stated specifications for appearance, purity, viscosity, solubility, pH and insoluble matter |
| Manufacturer | Promecens Entosystems Private Limited |
| Batch Traceability | Batch CH/02/2025 | Manufactured May 2025 | Expires April 2028 |
| Bulk Packaging | Commercial packaging configuration is confirmed according to quantity and shipping requirements |
| Storage | Keep tightly sealed in a cool, dry place and protect from moisture, excessive heat, sunlight and contamination |
| Quantity | Price / quote | Packaging | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 g sample | $67 Total | Sample pack | Free shipping |
| 1 kg | $55/kg | 1 kg pack | Price includes 15% tariff and $60 FedEx shipping (USA). |
| 100–500 kg | Request Quote | Commercial bulk packaging | Freight and applicable charges quoted separately |
Insect-Derived Chitosan Hydrochloride is a high-purity, fully water-soluble chitosan salt produced from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) biomass a sustainable, rapidly renewable insect source that is increasingly recognized as one of the most promising alternatives to traditional shellfish-derived chitosan. For pharmaceutical formulators, biomedical researchers, and procurement teams seeking a high-consistency, circular-economy raw material, this green-process grade delivers the rapid dissolution, low viscosity, and strong bioactivity that water-soluble chitosan hydrochloride is valued for, sourced from an insect byproduct stream rather than wild-caught marine shells.
Manufactured under controlled extraction and deacetylation conditions, the material is supplied as a high-purity, low-viscosity powder requiring no acidic activation step before use. It is selected for pharmaceutical research, nutraceutical and functional food formulation, cosmetic and personal care applications, agricultural inputs, and laboratory studies in drug delivery and biomedical materials science.
Most commercial chitosan hydrochloride is still extracted from shrimp, crab, or lobster shell waste. Insect-derived chitosan offers a structurally similar but operationally distinct alternative. The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) is farmed at industrial scale primarily for protein and lipid production in animal feed; the chitin-rich larval cuticle and pupal exuviae generated by this process represent a high-volume byproduct stream that would otherwise go to waste.
Because BSF is reared in fully controlled, climate-managed facilities on a rapid life cycle (egg to pupa in roughly two to four weeks), the resulting chitin shows tighter, more reproducible specifications than wild-harvested crustacean shells, whose composition varies with species, season, and fishing region. Independent characterization studies have found that the physical and chemical properties of BSF-derived chitin and chitosan are comparable to shrimp-derived material, supporting its use as a direct substitute in most applications.
Production begins with chitin-rich biomass recovered from Black Soldier Fly larval cuticle and pupal exuviae generated during BSF protein processing. Where the conventional (original) route relies on stronger chemical input across its treatment stages, the green process used for this grade is engineered to reduce harsh-chemical consumption and effluent load. The raw material undergoes a sequential demineralization step (removing mineral content) and a deproteinization step (removing residual protein) to isolate purified chitin. The purified chitin is then deacetylated under controlled conditions, converting it into chitosan by increasing the proportion of free amine groups along the polymer backbone.
Because free-base chitosan is only soluble in acidic conditions below approximately pH 6, the chitosan is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form a stable, water-soluble chitosan hydrochloride salt. This HCl salt formation allows the material to dissolve readily across a broader pH range than free-base chitosan, eliminating the need for an additional acid-activation step during formulation. Every production batch is quality-tested for purity, solubility, and viscosity before release, with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) issued per lot.
| Source | Supply Model | Consistency | Allergen Profile | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Soldier Fly (Insect) | Controlled-environment farming, rapid life cycle byproduct | High — climate-controlled rearing | Generally low allergen risk; insect-protein sensitivities should be assessed per market | Circular-economy sourcing, comparable performance to shellfish chitosan |
| Shellfish (Shrimp/Crab) | Wild harvest / fishing season dependent | Variable — seasonal and species dependent | Shellfish-allergen risk | Highest current global supply volume |
| Fungal (Mushroom) | Controlled fermentation | High — bioprocess controlled | Vegan, non-allergenic | Best fit for strict vegan/allergen-free claims |
Choosing the right chitosan derivative depends on the charge profile, solubility range, and functional groups your application requires. The table below positions this green-process insect grade against the most commonly compared Chitosan Global insect-origin products.
For the standard, original-process insect variant, see Chitosan Hydrochloride – Insect. For lower-molecular-weight rapid-absorption applications, see Chitosan Oligosaccharide Hydrochloride – Insect and Chitosan Oligosaccharide – Insect.
| Derivative | Charge Profile | Solubility Range | Best Fit Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insect Chitosan Hydrochloride (this product) | Cationic (amine-based) | Water-soluble, broad pH | Pharmaceutical research, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, general formulation |
| Carboxymethyl Chitosan – Insect | Amphoteric/anionic | Water-soluble across wide pH | Hydrogels, wound care, controlled-release matrices |
| Trimethyl Chitosan – Insect | Permanently cationic (quaternized) | Water-soluble, pH-independent | Oral drug delivery, mucoadhesive systems |
| Quaternary Chitosan – Insect | Permanently cationic | Water-soluble, pH-independent | Antimicrobial coatings, preservative systems |
| Sulphonated Chitosan – Insect | Anionic (sulfonate groups) | Water-soluble | Anticoagulant/heparin-mimetic research, biomedical coatings |
| Phosphorylated Chitosan – Insect | Anionic (phosphate groups) | Water-soluble | Bone tissue engineering, mineralization-related research |
For cationic mucoadhesive comparisons relevant to oral delivery, see our guide on Trimethyl Chitosan for Oral Delivery; for hydrogel-focused formulation, see Carboxymethyl Chitosan for Hydrogels; and for antimicrobial system design, see Quaternary Chitosan for Antimicrobial Systems. Researchers comparing anionic biomedical derivatives may also evaluate our Sulphonated Chitosan – Insect and Phosphorylated Chitosan – Insect grades.
Water-soluble chitosan hydrochloride is widely studied as a carrier in drug delivery systems, supporting mucoadhesive and controlled-release formulations. Its solubility profile also makes it suitable for nanoparticle formulation research, and the insect-derived source is of particular interest to biomedical researchers studying sustainable, non-marine biopolymer alternatives for wound care and tissue engineering scaffolds.
As a fat-binding dietary fiber ingredient, insect-derived chitosan hydrochloride is used in weight-management and digestive-health supplement formulations where a sustainably sourced, non-marine raw material is preferred.
In skin and hair care, the material functions as a film-forming agent, moisturizer, and natural preservative booster. See our broader resource on chitosan in cosmetics for formulation guidance and dosage ranges.
Used as a natural plant elicitor and biopesticide carrier, insect-derived chitosan hydrochloride supports sustainable crop protection programs aligned with circular-economy sourcing goals.
Laboratories and industrial formulators rely on this grade for its consistent specification sheet and documented CoA. It is also studied as a natural flocculant in water treatment applications. Explore our water-soluble chitosan supplier overview, food-grade chitosan supplier page, industrial chitosan manufacturer page, and chitosan in food industry guide for grade-specific sourcing and use cases.
What is Black Soldier Fly chitosan? It is chitosan extracted from the chitin-rich larval cuticle and pupal exuviae generated as a byproduct of BSF protein and lipid farming — an increasingly studied insect-derived alternative to crustacean chitosan.
Is insect-derived chitosan as effective as shellfish chitosan? Yes. Independent characterization studies have found the physical and chemical properties of BSF-derived chitosan to be comparable to shrimp-derived chitosan, supporting its use across most of the same applications.
What is the difference between insect, fungal, and shellfish chitosan hydrochloride? All three are chemically similar chitosan hydrochloride salts, but they differ in sourcing model, allergen profile, and supply consistency insect and fungal sources offer more controlled production environments, while shellfish sourcing depends on seasonal wild harvest.
Chitosan Global is a specialized chitosan derivatives supplier sourcing and producing high-performance chitosan and chitosan salts from insect, fungal, and shellfish origins. Our Black Soldier Fly-sourced materials are selected for batch consistency, sustainability credentials, and full specification transparency — every lot ships with a CoA, and MSDS documentation is available on request. Our team works directly with pharmaceutical formulators, biomedical researchers, nutraceutical manufacturers, cosmetic chemists, and university research groups to match the right chitosan grade to the application, from sample-scale trials to bulk production volumes.
Ready to evaluate green-process Insect-Derived Chitosan Hydrochloride in your formulation or research program? Request a free 25 g sample, download the batch Certificate of Analysis, or contact our team directly at steve@chitosanglobal.com for bulk pricing, custom specifications, and international shipping options. Our technical team is ready to help you select the right chitosan derivative from this grade or any product across our chitosan derivatives supplier line for your exact application.
May be evaluated in low-viscosity aqueous systems, nanoparticles, microparticles, mucoadhesive formulations and controlled-delivery research. Suitability must be established through application-specific testing.
Learn moreMay be evaluated in experimental films, coatings, hydrogels and biomaterial systems requiring a water-compatible cationic chitosan salt. It is supplied as a research material, not as an approved medical device.
Learn moreMay be evaluated in coagulation, flocculation, suspended-particle removal, dye-treatment and charged-contaminant interaction studies.
Learn moreMay be evaluated as a water-compatible cationic ingredient in experimental skin-care, hair-care, conditioning and film-forming formulations.
Learn moreMay be evaluated in foliar sprays, seed treatments, crop-input formulations and plant-response research requiring convenient aqueous preparation.
Learn moreMay be evaluated in food-coating and functional-formulation research, subject to confirmation of the applicable grade, documentation and regulatory status for the intended market.
Learn moreAdd the powder gradually to clean or demineralized water under continuous stirring. Allow sufficient time for complete dispersion before adding other formulation ingredients. Begin with a small laboratory trial because concentration, pH, ionic strength and charged ingredients may affect solution behavior. Confirm compatibility and performance before commercial scale-up.
Keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry and well-ventilated location. Protect from moisture, excessive heat, direct sunlight and contamination. Use clean, dry handling equipment and follow the current product-specific SDS.
Document pending. Please contact us if you need this document before ordering.
Explains the origin, conversion chemistry, functional characteristics and technical considerations of insect-derived Chitosan Hydrochloride.
Reviews aqueous behavior, concentration, pH and formulation considerations for BSF-derived water-soluble chitosan.
Reviews cationic, water-compatible chitosan materials in mucoadhesion, particle formation and drug-delivery research.
Explains charge interaction, coagulation and flocculation mechanisms relevant to laboratory water-treatment evaluation.
Provides practical guidance for dispersing, hydrating and evaluating Chitosan Hydrochloride in aqueous formulations.
It is a water-soluble hydrochloride form of chitosan produced from insect-derived chitin. The supplier identifies the biological source as Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens).
Yes. Batch CH/02/2025 passed its water-solubility test at 1 g per 100 mL at room temperature with stirring. Formulation behavior should be confirmed at the intended concentration.
The current Certificate of Analysis reports a purity result of 98.5%, within its specification range of 95%–100%.
Batch CH/02/2025 has a reported viscosity of 1.3 cS, within the COA specification range of 1–20 cS.
No. Insect-derived chitosan should not be labeled as vegan. Mushroom-derived chitosan should be considered when a vegan-positioned source is required.
The supplier identifies it as insect-derived rather than shrimp-, crab- or lobster-derived. Request the applicable source and allergen documentation before making a regulated shellfish-free claim.
No. The supplied COA for batch CH/02/2025 does not report molecular weight or degree of deacetylation. Request additional manufacturer documentation when these parameters are required.
Yes. A 25 g laboratory sample is available for preliminary solubility, compatibility and application testing before commercial scale-up.
Keep the material tightly sealed in a cool, dry location and protect it from moisture, excessive heat, direct sunlight and contamination. Follow the current SDS.
The listed wholesale base price is $55/kg. Sample, 1 kg, USA checkout and bulk-order prices may include different packaging, tariff and shipping charges. Final commercial pricing should be confirmed by quotation.
