title: [Omega-3 fatty acid preparations--a comparative study].
abstract: Fifteen food supplements and 1 medicine, formulated as soft capsules and containing omega-3 fatty acids, were evaluated with different tests, including desegregation, determination of the anisidine and peroxide values and assay of the omega-3 acids according to the European Pharmacopoeia. All the products contained purified fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6; DHA), and available as triglycerides, ethyl esters or free fatty acids. The medicinal product complied with the fixed requirements whereas 7 of the 15 food supplements deviated from 1 or more of the criteria with regard to the peroxide value and the content of 1 or more of the fattty acids.
authors.affiliation: Service de Contrôle des Médicaments.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fierens
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corthout
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3