<![CDATA[Larvae of Hermetia illucens have been increasingly recognized as a promising renewable lipid feedstock for various industrial, oleochemical, and biotechnological applications. This study compared mechanical pressing and Soxhlet extraction methods to evaluate their effects on the physicochemical properties and lipid composition of maggot oil. Oil extracted by the Soxhlet method resulted in a higher yield (34.60%) than mechanical pressing (22.45%), indicating more efficient lipid recovery. The moisture contents of the oils were 0.643% and 0.468%, respectively. Both extraction methods produced oils with low acid values (1.693 ± 0.127–1.702 ± 0.116 mg KOH/g) and free fatty acid contents (0.603 ± 0.045–0.607 ± 0.042 %), suggesting acceptable oil quality. Saponification values ranged from 157 to 159 mg KOH/g, while peroxide values were 13.56–14.49 meq O₂/kg. The elemental composition results revealed that both oils were predominantly composed of carbon and hydrogen, reflecting their lipid-rich nature. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the extraction method significantly influenced lipid composition. Mechanical pressing preserved a higher proportion of triglycerides, whereas Soxhlet extraction recovered larger amounts of free fatty acids, especially those with medium- and long-chain structures. These findings indicate that extraction techniques not only affect oil yield but also influence the physicochemical characteristics and chemical profile of H. illucens oil, which may influence its suitability for different biological and biotechnological applications. The results demonstrate that selecting a suitable extraction method is crucial for producing maggot oil with characteristics tailored to specific downstream applications, including biofuel, oleochemical, and biotechnological products.]]>
