Varying quality of fish oil capsules: fatty acids and tocopherol

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2011:32 Suppl 2:37-40.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the content and composition of fatty acids and tocopherols in commercially available oil capsules, and to assay thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as a marker of oxidation in these oils.

Methods: Fish and seal oil capsules were analyzed for their contents of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (DPA, EPA, and DHA), tocopherols, and malondialdehyde.

Results: Large variations were found in the levels of EPA (6.5-40.9%), and DHA (8.1-26.4%), α-tocopherol (117-10282 μg/g), γ-tocopherol (406-2352 μg/g) and δ-tocopherol (127-978 μg/g). The level of malondialdehyde was very low in all capsules.

Conclusion: The tested samples of oil capsules showed large variation in quality with respect to long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. The low levels of malondialdehyde indicated a successful oxidation protection strategy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capsules
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis
  • Dietary Supplements / standards*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / analysis
  • Fish Oils / administration & dosage
  • Fish Oils / analysis
  • Fish Oils / standards*
  • Fishes
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Malondialdehyde / analysis
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Seals, Earless
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Sweden
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / analysis
  • Tocopherols / administration & dosage
  • Tocopherols / analysis
  • Tocopherols / standards*

Substances

  • Capsules
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fish Oils
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Tocopherols