Comparative multi-analytical characterization of lipid fractions from three cockroach species: Blaptica dubia, Gromphadorhina portentosa, and Periplaneta lateralis

This study presents a comprehensive, multi-analytical characterization of lipid fractions extracted from three cockroach species: Blaptica dubia, Gromphadorhina portentosa, and Periplaneta lateralis, with the aim of elucidating interspecies differences in fatty acid composition, molecular organization, and physicochemical behavior. Lipid fractions were analyzed using gas chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF NMR) relaxometry, and Langmuir monolayer techniques. All oils were dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid; however, marked differences were observed in the SFA/MUFA/PUFA balance, iodine values, thermal transitions, and interfacial properties. B. dubia oil exhibited the most balanced fatty acid profile and the most compact and viscoelastic monolayers, indicating a structurally stable lipid system. G. portentosa oil was characterized by the highest tocopherol content and enhanced oxidative resistance, whereas P. lateralis oil showed the highest degree of unsaturation accompanied by increased molecular mobility. The applied analytical techniques revealed distinct lipid structuring and stability patterns across species, demonstrating that cockroach-derived oils represent chemically and structurally diverse lipid matrices. These findings provide fundamental physicochemical insight into insect-derived lipids and establish a reference framework for future studies addressing technological performance, stabilization strategies, or regulatory assessment pathways.