Exploring the Potential of Portable and Handheld Infrared Spectroscopic Devices to Characterize Insect Lipids

Identifier:  TDX:4475

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4475

Authors:  Méndez Sánchez, Carmen

Abstract:
Insects are increasingly recognized as a sustainable source of protein, lipids, and fiber. Their nutritional composition can vary significantly due to factors such as species, life stage, rearing conditions, diet, and processing methods. This variability highlights the potential of insects as a versatile option for sustainable nutrition. However, traditional analytical methods for characterizing insect lipids are often labor-intensive, costly, and less accessible. Infrared spectroscopy, combined with multivariate analysis, offers a solution by enabling the identification and quantification of lipid components in complex mixtures. The recent advancements in portable and handheld Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers have made this technology more accessible. These devices eliminate the need for extensive sample pre-treatment and laboratory processing, thus saving time and resources and making rapid analyses feasible even for non-experts. The objective of this research was to explore the use of portable Fourier Transform Mid Infrared (FT-MIR) and handheld FT-NIR spectrometers for real-time screening of lipid content in various samples. This included partially defatted insect powders, insect lipids mixed with vegetable and seed oils, and chickpea-based doughs. The study also aimed to predict the percentages of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids present in the samples, as well as their overall fatty acid profiles.