Selective adsorbent performance in bleaching black soldier fly larvae oil: Effects on physicochemical and sensory quality

The utilization of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Oil (BSFLO) as a commercial food product is constrained by its undesirable physicochemical and sensory properties, including impurities, dark color, and off-odors, thereby necessitating effective purification strategies. However, the most suitable bleaching agent for BSFLO purification has not yet been clearly established. This study provides a systematic comparative evaluation of selected adsorbents in the bleaching of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Crude Oil (BSFLCO), with a focus on their impact on overall oil quality. Four adsorbents, i.e., synthetic zeolite, bleaching earth, activated carbon, and silica gel, were applied at a concentration of 7.5% (w/v). The effects of adsorbent type were assessed across multiple quality parameters, including chemical composition, oxidative stability, and sensory attributes. Statistical analyses, including both parametric and non-parametric tests, indicated that variations in adsorbent type significantly affected (p < 0.05) bleaching yield, peroxide value, free fatty acid content, smoke point, protein content, moisture content, fat content, as well as sensory ranking and hedonic responses. Bleaching earth emerged as the superior adsorbent, significantly outperforming synthetic zeolite and silica gel in reducing protein content and color intensity, which directly correlated with higher consumer color preference. Bleaching earth-treated oil achieved the highest overall hedonic scores and chemical stability, including improved peroxide values and smoke points. These findings highlight the critical role of adsorbent selection in BSFLO purification and provide practical insights for improving the quality and commercial viability of insect-derived edible oils.