Keywords

Fatty acid,Insects,Nutritional,Omega-3,Omega-6

How to Cite

(1)

dos Santos, J. V. de A.; Aguayo de Castro, T. L.; Lima Cardoso, C. A.; de Oliveira, K. M. P.; de Minas, R. S.; Oliveira, S. de A.; Talevi, G. dos S.; Pinheiro, M. N.; Chang, M. R.; Venancio, D. C. V.; da Silva, G. R.; Kwiatkowski, A. Chemical Composition of Oils and Fats from Madagascar Cockroach (G. portentosa), Giant Cockroach (B. giganteus), and Mealworm (T. Molitor). Orbital: Electron. J. Chem. 2025, 16, 279-285.

Abstract

This study aimed to extract oil and fat from three insect species: Gromphadorhina portentosa, Blaberus giganteus, and Tenebrio molitor, analyzing its fatty acid composition and antimicrobial potential. Oils and fats were extracted from each species. Subsequent analysis focused on their fatty acid profiles, particularly examining the ratios of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids and omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, including the ratios of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids and omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. The broth microdilution method evaluated the antimicrobial potential against standard American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) strains. T. molitor yielded the highest extraction (21.98%), with major fatty acids identified as C18:1, C18:2w6, and C16:1. The oils from G. portentosa and B. giganteus also contained C18:1, C18:2w6, and C16:0. Principal component analysis distinguished T. molitor oil by its C15:0 and C23:0 content. All oils were rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, with T. molitor and B. giganteus showing higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although no significant antimicrobial activity was observed, the oils exhibited high nutritional potential. Further research is needed to optimize cultivation and extraction processes for G. portentosa and B. giganteus to enhance their economic viability.