Lipid nutritional indices, regioisomeric distribution, and thermal properties of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens larvae fat

Abstract

• T. molitor and H. illucens larvae had high lipid contents (respectively 28.8% and 42.6%). • H. illucens larvae fats had a desirable ω6:ω3 ratio (3.25) than T. molitor (23.9). • T. molitor larvae fat had better lipid nutritional indices, e.g., HPI, IA, IT, HH. • PUFA in H. illucens larvae fat were mostly concentrated on the sn -1,3 positions. • Both larvae fat showed differences in thermal stability based on fatty acid profile. The fatty acid (FA) profile, nutritional index, and thermal properties of lipids from Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens larvae were studied. T. molitor and H. illucens larvae had high lipid contents (respectively 28.8% and 42.6%), saturated (25.0% and 55.8%), monounsaturated (MUFA) (39.2% and 28.3%), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids (35.8% and 15.9%). Both larvae fats contained beneficial ω-3, ω-6, and ω-9 FA. For T. molitor and H. illucens , the lipid nutritional indices were atherogenicity indices 0.68 and 2.75, thrombogenicity indices 0.58 and 0.74, and health-promoting indices 3.51 and 0.80 hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio 1.38 and 0.23, suggesting the nutritional superiority of T. molitor larvae fat. Regioisomeric distribution analysis showed that PUFA in H. illucens larvae fat are concentrated on the sn -1,3 positions, whereas those in T. molitor larvae fat are distributed in all three positions. The thermal stability and crystallisation profiles differed for both larvae fats and demonstrated their potential use in thermally processed foods.