Discrimination of n-3 rich oils by gas chromatography.
Exploring the capabilities of instrumental techniques for discriminating n-3 rich oils derived from animals is a very important though much neglected area that was emphasized more than 100 years ago. In this study the potential of gas chromatography (GC) for discriminating full fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles from fish (cod liver and salmon) and marine mammal (seal and whale) oils is evaluated by means of principal component analysis (PCA). The FAME profiles from plant oils such as rapeseed, linseed and soy oils and seven different brands of n-3 supplements are also used in the discrimination process. The results from the PCA plots can reliably distinguish between plant, n-3 supplements, fish and marine mammal oils. By removing the contribution of the n-3 supplements and plant oils it is possible to discriminate between types of fish and marine animal oils. GC offers a rapid, simple and convenient means of discriminating oils from different species, brands and grades.
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), PO Box 2029, Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway. pedro.araujo@nifes.no
Pedro
P
Araujo
Yingxu
Y
Zeng
Zhen-Yu
ZY
Du
Thu-Thao
TT
Nguyen
Livar
L
Frøyland
Bjørn
B
Grung
D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D005399:Fishes; D012474:Salmon
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils