###### Abstract  
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are vital for brain health, supporting cognitive development and helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Since the body cannot produce them, they must be obtained through food. This study aimed to assess the effects of corn oil on the behavior and biochemical parameters of _Drosophila melanogaster_. The flies were fed a diet supplemented with different concentrations of corn oil from the larval stage until the fifth day of adulthood. A diet containing corn oil (37.8 mg/mL of linoleic acid) reduced mortality under starvation conditions and enhanced locomotor performance (\(p<0.01\)). Biochemical analyses revealed increased levels of glutathione (\(p<0.001\)), citrate synthase activity (\(p<0.05\)), and mitochondrial phosphorylation (\(p<0.05\)), indicating a potential boost in energy metabolism. Conversely, a decrease in acetylcholinesterase-discuesterase activity (\(p<0.05\)) was observed, suggesting cholinergic modulation. These results demonstrate that corn oil supplementation supports neural health in this animal model, opening pathways for further research into non-pharmacological treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.  
Drosophila melanogaster; corn oil; biochemical and behavioral parameters; functional food 2020 IEEE/RS  
high doses [3] and may not be evident in the short and medium term [4; 5]. Among the PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is vital to brain metabolism, and its supplementation demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and non-apoptotic activity [6]. Additionally, low doses of omega-6, such as linoleic acid (LA), can shield the brain against inflammation through its oxidation products. When combined with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), they may reduce migraine frequency; however, excessive intake can lead to the opposite effect, increasing blood coagulability and proinflammatory effects, as leukotrienes release lysosomal enzymes and generate free radicals [7; 8].  
As a nutritional source, consuming corn oil, which is rich in LA, is highly digestible and provides energy and has demonstrated significant biological effects, including antioxidant activity that helps protect cells from free radicals and prevents cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases in animal models [9] such as _Drosophila melanogaster_ that cannot convert LA to the longer chain fatty acids [10; 11].  
_D. melanogaster_ is an insect with over a hundred years of history in scientific research, used as an alternative model in experimental studies of multicellular organisms [12]. This insect has high reproductive capacity, rapid development, a short lifespan, and conserved biological processes, making it an ideal model for toxicological assessment [13]. Additionally, the daily food consumption of a single _D. melanogaster_ is approximately 1.5 \(\mu\)L, which represents 1.7 times its body mass [14]. Furthermore, females in the maturation stage of fertilized eggs consume more solid food than virgin females [15].  
Using _D. melanogaster_ as an experimental model to investigate the effects of corn oil ingestion provides an accessible, rapid, and relevant method to explore the mechanisms underlying its impact. This model is well known for its application in studying neurodegenerative diseases. Given that LA is typically associated with maintaining a healthy cellular function, this study aimed to address two key questions:  
Can corn oil affect the behavioral parameters of _D. melanogaster_?  
Can corn oil modulate the metabolism and biochemical parameters of the flies?