Chitin, hydrolysate and production of at least one desired product from insects by means of enzymatic hydrolysis, comprising a combination of steps performed prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis

A method for the production of chitin from insects, comprising the following steps in the following order:

• a) killing the insects,
• b) grinding the insects to obtain insect cuticles,
• c) pressing the insect cuticles,
• d) enzymatically hydrolyzing the insect cuticles with a proteolytic enzyme,
• e) recovering chitin,
• wherein the insect cuticles are treated with an oxidizing agent before step c).

A method for the production of chitosan from insects, comprising the following steps in the following order:

• a) killing the insects,
• b) grinding the insects to obtain insect cuticles,
• c) pressing the insect cuticles,
• d) enzymatically hydrolyzing the insect cuticles with a proteolytic enzyme,
• e) recovering chitin,
• f) deacetylating the chitin recovered,
• g) recovering chitosan,
• wherein the insect cuticles are treated with an oxidizing agent before step c).