Six edible insect oils extracted by ultrasound-assisted: Physicochemical characteristics, aroma patterns and antioxidant properties

• Physicochemical characteristics of edible insect oils was comprehensive evaluated. • Ultrasound-assisted improved the extraction yield and quality of insect oils. • C. bilineata tingtauica oil had the highest levels of tocopherol and PUFA content. Oils from six edible insect commercially available in China (Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor), Teleogryllus mitratus, Locusta migratoria manilensis, Cryptotympana atrata (C. atrata), Clanis bilineata tingtauica larvae (C. bilineata tingtauica) and Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (P. brevitarsis)) were extracted by ultrasound-assisted n-hexane and characterized by physicochemical characteristics, biological active compounds, fatty acid composition, volatile components and antioxidant activity. The oil extraction yield of T. molitor was higher than that of other insects, reaching 33.90%. Six edible insect oils had the similar fingerprints with outstanding bands at the wavenumber of 2920, 2850, 1460, and 720 cm -1 . The UFA content in the oil of C. atrata were the highest, reaching 82.51%. The PUFA/SFA indexes of the other five insect oils were all higher than 0.45, except for P. brevitarsis oil. Hydrocarbons were the main volatile substances in the six insect oils. The scavenging ability of the DPPH radical in the oils of C. atrata and C. bilineata tingtauica was notably higher, with IC 50 values of 19.20 mg/mL and 23.63 mg/mL, respectively. The results could be used for the development and use of new edible insect oils in foods to improve resource utilization.