Access the latest issue of Nutraceuticals World and browse our extensive archives to catch up on past articles and features.
Read the full digital edition of Nutraceuticals World, complete with interactive content and enhanced features for an engaging experience.
Join our community! Subscribe to Nutraceuticals World to receive the latest industry news, insights, and updates directly to your mailbox.
Learn about Nutraceuticals World’s mission, vision, and commitment to providing valuable information and resources for the nutraceutical industry.
Discover advertising opportunities with Nutraceuticals World to connect with a targeted audience in the nutraceutical sector.
Review our editorial guidelines for contributions and submissions to ensure your content aligns with our standards.
Read about our commitment to protecting your privacy and how we handle your personal information.
Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions governing the use of nutraceuticalsworld.com.
Dive into feature articles that provide in-depth analysis and discussions on critical topics within the nutraceutical space.
Access unique content and exclusive interviews with industry leaders and innovators, offering insights into the future of nutraceuticals.
Discover the top companies in the nutraceutical industry, highlighting their innovations and contributions to the market.
Gain valuable perspectives from suppliers on market trends, challenges, and opportunities within the nutraceutical sector.
Stay informed with regular market updates that track the latest trends and developments impacting the nutraceutical industry.
Explore mergers and acquisitions, financial performance, and investment trends shaping the nutraceutical landscape.
Learn about the latest innovations in manufacturing and formulation processes that enhance product quality and efficacy.
Discover new products and ingredients making waves in the nutraceutical market, along with their benefits and applications.
Stay updated on regulatory developments and compliance issues affecting the nutraceutical industry.
Access the latest research findings and studies that inform trends and innovations in nutraceuticals.
Learn about nutraceutical products that support beauty and wellness, focusing on ingredients that address age-related concerns.
Discover nutraceutical solutions aimed at supporting bone, joint, and muscle health for optimal mobility.
Stay informed on products and ingredients promoting cardiovascular health and wellbeing.
Explore nutraceutical options designed to support the health and development of children.
Learn about nutraceutical products that enhance cognitive function and mental clarity.
Discover nutraceutical solutions that boost energy levels and support overall vitality.
Stay updated on ingredients and products promoting eye health and vision wellness.
Explore nutraceutical offerings tailored specifically for men’s health and wellness.
Learn about nutraceuticals that promote relaxation, stress relief, and improved sleep quality.
Stay informed about antioxidant-rich ingredients that combat oxidative stress and promote overall health.
Explore the benefits of green ingredients, including superfoods and their roles in health and wellness.
Learn about the uses and benefits of herbs, botanicals, and mushrooms in the nutraceutical sector.
Discover the health benefits of omega-3s and other nutritional oils for overall wellbeing.
Stay updated on the latest research and products related to probiotics and prebiotics.
Explore the role of protein and fiber in nutrition and their importance in dietary supplements.
Learn about alternative sweeteners and their applications in the nutraceutical market.
Discover essential vitamins and minerals that support health and wellbeing in various products.
Access our buyer’s guide to find trusted suppliers and service providers in the nutraceutical market.
Identify the top companies leading the nutraceutical industry with innovative products and solutions.
Explore the capabilities of leading nutraceutical companies and their areas of expertise.
Familiarize yourself with key terms and definitions related to the nutraceutical industry.
Watch informative videos featuring industry experts discussing trends, innovations, and insights in nutraceuticals.
Enjoy short, engaging videos that provide quick insights and updates on key nutraceutical topics.
Tune in to discussions with industry leaders sharing their perspectives on trends and challenges in the nutraceutical sector.
Access comprehensive eBooks covering various topics in nutraceuticals, from formulation to marketing.
Read in-depth whitepapers that examine key issues, trends, and research findings in the nutraceutical industry.
Explore informational brochures that provide insights into specific products, companies, and market trends.
Access sponsored articles and insights from leading companies in the nutraceutical sector.
Stay informed with the latest news releases and announcements from companies in the nutraceutical industry.
Browse job opportunities in the nutraceutical sector, connecting you with potential employers.
Discover major industry events, trade shows, and conferences focused on nutraceuticals and dietary supplements.
Participate in informative webinars led by industry experts, covering various topics in nutraceuticals.
Discover exclusive live streams and updates from the hottest events and shows.
What are you searching for?
The study analyzed changes in the chemical composition of fish oil exposed to over-oxidating conditions.
By: Mike Montemarano
October 30, 2020
Formulators working with fish oil should have comprehensive knowledge of oxidation and its effects on the specific omega-3 product being produced. A recent study demonstrated that plenty of variables are at play that affect quality and safety. In a recent analysis published by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) in the journal Foods, researchers analyzed the chemical composition of fish oil after exposure to varied oxidative conditions. Omega-3s of all kinds are prone to oxidative degradation. Without appropriate preventive measures, oxidation can cause fish oil products to exceed voluntary safety recommendations. Additionally, a number of academic publications have claimed that fish oil supplements were mostly oxidized, did not contain the claimed amount of EPA or DHA, and could be associated with negative health consequences. To reach an understanding about the changes to fish oil’s chemical composition over time, several collaborating GOED members teamed up with academic researcher from Belgium, France, and the University of California, Davis. The study is part of GOED’s Oxidation Plan, which involves a number of clinical trials intended to address oxidation-related complaints, such as that oxidation reduces EPA/DHA levels and could create a number of harmful compounds, among other complaints. Previous Research The GOED study was carried out in response to a previously-published study which appeared in the American Journal of Physiology in 2016 called “Oxidized fish oil in rat pregnancy causes high newborn mortality and increases maternal insulin resistance.” During that study, pregnant rats were administered 1 ml of either unoxidized or highly oxidized hoki liver oil, or a placebo until birth. Maternal intake of oxidized fish oil significantly increased insulin resistance at the time of weaning compared to control and placebo, and the oxidized fish oil group also had significantly higher rates of infant mortality at day 2. The oxidized fish oil in the study was treated for 30 days by bubbling oxygen under a fluorescent lamp at room temperature, causing it to be characterized by a high concentration of lipid peroxides, which the authors believed could have been associated with oxidative stress (which is known to have adverse effects on a number of conditions related to pregnancy). The fish oil was not treated with antioxidants, and no co-administration of antioxidants occurred during this trial. A Second Look According to the more recent publication to which GOED contributed, the adverse effect on pregnant rats caused by highly rancid hoki liver oil used in the 2016 was attributed to lipid hydroperoxides which formed during the experimental conditions to which the oil was exposed to. Other chemical changes that the authors hypothesized could have been present in the oxidized hoki liver oil at the time were not discussed. The more recent trial replicated the conditions by which the hoki liver oil was oxidized in the previous study, and exposed anchovy oil to similar conditions, as anchovies are a common source of commercially available fish oil products. Additionally, the study analyzed the effects of a less extreme oxidation method, which involved exposing fish oil to air contact in the dark, which is an oxidation condition “more relevant to retail products,” the authors said. It was determined that anchovy oil had a different chemical oxidation signature to hoki liver oil, due primarily to the fact that each contained a different profile of antioxidants, and that the applied oxidative conditions caused significant differences. Study authors said the highly rancid hoki liver oil, which was intended to replicate the oil analyzed in the 2016 study, contained potentially harmful chemicals that may have been overlooked, and that the infant mortality and insulin resistance seen in pregnant rats may have been attributed to lipid hydroperoxides while isoprostanoids and oxysterols were overlooked. “Quality guidelines for edible oils set by regulatory authorities exist to avoid rancid products entering the market,” the authors of the study said. “Producers of oils and retailers have also set voluntary quality limits through organizations such as [GOED]. Industry guidelines assist in making sure products comply with the applicable quality limits set by regulatory agencies for the markets where products are sold […] Recent studies show that the large majority of ingredient oils as well as finished products found in retail stores is of acceptable quality, although further improvements in oxidative quality can be made for some retail products.” Further, the authors discussed other studies providing evidence that consuming mildly oxidized fish oils, rather than oils which are extremely rancid, does not significantly alter biochemical parameters in the body. “The temporal analysis of chemical compositional changes of minimally refined antioxidant-free hoki liver oil under harsh oxidative conditions has confirmed the marked over-oxidation of the oil,” the authors of the study concluded. “Extension of the study to a different type of oxidation condition, as well as including a more commonly used and antioxidant-stabilized refined anchovy oil, demonstrated that different oils contain and develop distinct patterns of oxidation products, and that the presence of added antioxidants markedly delays oxidation.” The authors also concluded that other oxidation products besides fatty acid peroxides should be considered to understand how oxidation effects any fish oil product, such as those derived from oil components including other fatty acids and lipids. A conclusion cannot be drawn for all fish oil ingredients based on the results of one oxidated fish oil or product, they said. Additionally, “fish oils and other EPA/DHA omega-3 products would never be exposed to the harshness of the employed experimental oxidation conditions in this study,” the authors said. Beyond refinement and added antioxidants, encapsulation and packaging provides another parameter of oxidation resistance in omega-3 products.
Enter your account email.
A verification code was sent to your email, Enter the 6-digit code sent to your mail.
Didn't get the code? Check your spam folder or resend code
Set a new password for signing in and accessing your data.
Your Password has been Updated !