# Determination of Triacylglycerol Composition in Mealworm Oil (Tenebrio molitor) via Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Multiple Neutral Loss Scans

## TL;DR

This study identifies and quantifies triacylglycerols in mealworm oil using advanced mass spectrometry techniques, revealing key fatty acid compositions and their potential health benefits.

## Contribution

The study introduces an efficient method using ESI-MS/MS with multiple neutral loss scans for accurate TAG analysis in mealworm oil.

## Key findings

- 57 triacylglycerols were identified, with C52:2, C52:3, and C54:4 being the most abundant.
- Mealworm oil shows stronger resistance to oxidative stress compared to other vegetable oils.
- The oil's composition includes palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids as major fatty acids.

## Abstract

Mealworms are edible insects that are used as food ingredients because nearly all of their edible sections are lipid and protein sources that humans can consume. Triacylglycerols are significant energy sources and the main components of mealworm oil. Due to the composition of triacylglycerol being related in basic properties to oils, the determination of the triacylglycerol composition is important to understand oils. Our study used electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with multiple neutral loss scans to analyze the content and composition of triacylglycerol in mealworm oil. The acquired scan data were deconvoluted to minimize isotopic interference. Additionally, the validation parameters showed relatively good results. The mealworm oil mainly contained triacylglycerol possessing palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. The influence of triacylglycerol on mealworm oil is relatively stronger against oxidative stress compared to other vegetable oils.

Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) have been used as an alternative source of proteins and lipids. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are major sources of energy and have been used to provide essential fatty acids. They are also the main components of mealworm oil, and their composition and content are extensively linked to its physical and chemical properties. However, because of the complexity of TAG molecules, their identification and quantitation are challenging. This study employed electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) with multiple neutral loss scans (NLS) to analyze the TAG composition and content in mealworm oil. Identifying and quantifying TAGs using ESI-MS/MS in combination with multiple NLS was an efficient way to improve accuracy and timeliness. For the accurate quantification of TAGs, isotopic deconvolution and correlation factors were applied. A total of 57 TAGs were identified and quantified: C52:2 (16:0/18:1/18:1) (1549.4 nmol/g, 18.20%), C52:3 (16:0/18:1/18:2) (1488.1 nmol/g, 17.48%), C54:4 (18:1/18:1/18:2) (870.1 nmol/g, 10.23%), C54:6 (18:1/18:2/18:2) (659.8 nmol/g, 7.76%) and C52:4 (16:0/18:2/18:2) (600.5 nmol/g, 7.06%), which were the most abundant TAGs present in the mealworm oil. The fundamental properties of mealworm oil, including its degree of oxidation, nutritional effect and physical properties, were elucidated.