Temperature-Based Extraction, Characterization by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared...

Lepidopteran insects are novel source of omega-3 fatty acids as revealed by the studies recently. In the current study, we assessed the effects of four different drying temperatures (50, 60, 70 and 80°C) of eri silkworm (Philosamia ricini) pupal oil (EPO) abbreviated as EPO50, 60, 70 and 80 followed by conducting the characterization and antibacterial efficacy studies. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were used for chemical profiling of EPOs. The agar-well diffusion method was performed to evaluate the antibacterial activities. The trend of this study clearly revealed that enhanced drying percentage of temperatures showed raising saturated fats and reduced unsaturated fats. However, the best suitable temperature was found at 60°C with high unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3. Further, at higher temperature, FTIR analysis revealed an increasing complexity of functional groups with potential bioactive compounds. EPOs were found to have significant antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus at all tested (10, 20, 30 and 40 µL) volumes used in the study.