Fatty Acids Composition of Mealworm Larvae of Tenebrio molitor L Edible Insect in Mexico.
Virginia Melo-Ruíz1, Karina Sánchez-Herrera1, Horacio Sandoval-Trujillo1, Rey Gutiérrez-Tolentino1, Concepción Calvo-Carrillo2.
1 Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-X, Calz. del Hueso 1100, México D. F., C. P. 04690, México.
2 Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán. Vasco de Quiroga 15, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14000, México D.F.

The health benefits of fatty acids in edible insects are not properly studied  by nutritional  communities, even though insects intake in Mexico, is a cultural tradition since ancient times as part of the regular diet of different ethnic groups. Mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. can be rear at home for consumption or purchase at a market. The larvae stage of a beetle from the Coleoptera order has important components such as fatty acids, mainly mono unsaturated MUFA w9 and polyunsaturated PUFA, w3 and w6, essential for human health. The aim of this research was to assess essential fatty acids content in larvae stage of Tenebrio molitor L., and the link with a positive impact in human health. Sample was reared at laboratory in spring time 2015, for two months, in an oat environment at 28o C and analyzed for fatty acid composition of the oil extracted in a gas Chromatography. Total fatty acids were extracted with petroleum ether using soxhlet equipment, and oil assess with gas chromatography with a fused silica capillary column, using helium as a carrier gas. Results are the mean of three determinations. Data obtained was: total fat content (% dry matter) of Tenebrio molitor L 46.64%. Percentage of total fatty acids, C18:1 n-9 oleic acid 47.4%; C18:2 n-6 linoleic acid 16.86% and C18:3 n-3 linolenic acid 1.82%. MUFA oleic acid w9 is the major fatty acid content, and it is much more stable than the PUFA w6 and w3 those are essential, and cannot be synthesized by the body, enhance membrane fluidity and stimulate receptor activity, but they are readily to undergo peroxidation in the neurons that can damage impulse transmission. Lipids analyzed present resistance to oxidative deterioration and enhance the metabolic effects in human health.

Keywords: Fatty acids, Mealworm Larvae, Edible Insects, Mexico.