Seasonal fat and fatty acids variations of seven marine fish species from the Mediterranean Sea

Seasonal variation in the metabolome expression of Jania rubens (Rhodophyta) reveals eicosapentaenoic acid as a potential anticancer metabolite

Seaweeds of the intertidal zone are subjected to diverse stresses due to environmental changes in radiation, salinity, water quality, herbivore communities, etc. Thus, marine seaweeds developed various unique compounds to deal with environmental fluctuations. Therefore, they are a good source of unique novel compounds. Here, we explored the seasonal metabolomic changes in Jania rubens and found notable changes between extracts of different seasons in the metabolomic profile and in their anticancer activity. The most bioactive extract was from samples collected during the Fall season, which demonstrated an LC50 of 178.39 (± 10.02 SD) µg/ml toward Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) followed by the Winter season extract. The Fall and Winter extracts also displayed more resemblance in their metabolic profile relative to Spring and Summer extracts. The Fall extract was fractionated and tested for cytotoxic activity toward an array of cancer cell lines. Eventually, using a bio-guided assay and multiple fractionation steps, we isolated and identified the essential fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, as the active anticancer agent, showing an LC50 of 5.23 (± 0.07 SD) µg/ml toward NSCLC. Our results emphasize the potential use of J. rubens as a source of beneficial fatty acids and stress the importance of environmental effects on metabolic constitutes.

Highly Valuable Fish Oil: Formation Process, Enrichment, Subsequent Utilization, and Storage of Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Esters

In recent years, as the demand for precision nutrition is continuously increasing, scientific studies have shown that high-purity eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-EE) functions more efficiently than mixed omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid preparations in diseases such as hyperlipidemia, heart disease, major depression, and heart disease; therefore, the market demand for EPA-EE is growing by the day. In this paper, we attempt to review EPA-EE from a whole-manufacturing-chain perspective. First, the extraction, refining, and ethanolysis processes (fish oil and ethanol undergo transesterification) of EPA-EE are described, emphasizing the potential of green substitute technologies. Then, the method of EPA enrichment is thoroughly detailed, the pros and cons of different methods are compared, and current developments in monomer production techniques are addressed. Finally, a summary of current advanced strategies for dealing with the low oxidative stability and low bioavailability of EPA-EE is presented. In conclusion, understanding the entire production process of EPA-EE will enable us to govern each step from a macro perspective and accomplish the best use of EPA-EE in a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.

From Fish Waste to Value: An Overview of the Sustainable Recovery of Omega-3 for Food Supplements

The disposal of food waste is a current and pressing issue, urging novel solutions to implement sustainable waste management practices. Fish leftovers and their processing byproducts represent a significant portion of the original fish, and their disposal has a high environmental and economic impact. The utilization of waste as raw materials for the production of different classes of biofuels and high-value chemicals, a concept known as "biorefinery", is gaining interest in a vision of circular economy and zero waste policies. In this context, an interesting route of valorization is the extraction of omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) for nutraceutical application. These fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have received attention over the last decades due to their beneficial effects on human health. Their sustainable production is a key process for matching the increased market demand while reducing the pressure on marine ecosystems and lowering the impact of waste production. The high resale value of the products makes this waste a powerful tool that simultaneously protects the environment and benefits the global economy. This review aims to provide a complete overview of the sustainable exploitation of fish waste to recover ω-3 FAs for food supplement applications, covering composition, storage, and processing of the raw material.

Metal and fatty acid levels of some commercially important marine species from the northeastern Mediterranean: benefits and health risk estimation

Metal and fatty acid levels of some commercially important fish and crustacean species of economic value in the northeastern Mediterranean (Mersin Bay) were investigated. In addition, to predict possible risks regarding consumer health that may arise from the consumption of these species, risk estimates were calculated for adults and children considering consumption frequencies of one, three and seven times a week. The estimated weekly intake (EWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), lifetime cancer risk (CR) and benefit/risk ratio associated with their consumption were calculated. EWI values were found to be lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) values determined by the European Food Safety Authority and FAO/WHO. For most samples examined, THQ was < 1. The benefit/risk ratios for all samples were calculated to be less than threshold. For the fish species examined, CR for consumers was identified to be low, except for heavy consumption cases.