Extraction and purification of omega‐3 fatty acids concentrate from Hypophthalmichthys molitrix oil

Abstract

Purpose

Extraction and purification of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix fish oil by urea complex formation were made at −5, +1 and +5 ^○C, respectively. Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have proved to be beneficial in atherosclerosis, arrhythmia and hypertriglyceridemia. Starting with the hypothesis that the observed low cardiovascular morality could be related to marine diet, which contains omega‐3 PUFA.

Design/methodology/approach

Fish oil was extracted by Bligh and Dyer method from the muscle tissue and after, the PUFA concentrates produced by urea complexation and the oil samples were stored at −70 ^○C. The observed results show that the rate of omega‐3 extraction has been increased while saturated and long chain monosaturated fatty acids decreased during this process.

Findings

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has a higher tendency to form urea adducts than the other two major n‐3 PUFAs, especially at low temperatures. The optimum temperature for maximum recovery of EPA is about 1 ^○C. The amount of extracted omega‐3 in H. molitrix oil were 20.58 per cent wt of total extracted oil and by subsequent purification increased to 68 per cent wt at 1 ^○C, 36.82 per cent wt at +5 ^○C and 22.53 per cent wt at −5 ^○C of total extracted oil.

Practical implications

Omega‐3 PUFA have proved to be beneficial in atherosclerosis, arrhythmia and hypertriglyceridemia. Starting with the hypothesis that the observed low cardiovascular morality could be related to marine diet, which contains omega‐3 PUFA. In order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, emphasis has now been placed on the increased consumption of fish and fish products which are rich in PUFA.

Originality/value

The amount of extracted omega‐3 in H. molitrix oil were 20.58 per cent wt of total extracted oil and by subsequent purification increased to 68 per cent wt at 1 ^○C, 36.82 per cent wt at +5 ^○C and 22.53 per cent wt at −5 ^○C of total extracted oil. Due to the low price of H. molitrix in comparison to other ocean fish sources, as well as, its availability in all seasons, higher level of ω3‐fatty acids, H. molitrix species has a good potential for ω3‐fatty acids production by extraction and subsequent purification.

Citation

Alavi Talab, H., Ardjmand, M., Motallebi, A. and Pourgholam, R. (2010), "Extraction and purification of omega‐3 fatty acids concentrate from Hypophthalmichthys molitrix oil", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 193-203. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346651011029228