Risk-benefit assessment of methylmercury and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids through fish intake by pregnant women in Shanghai, China: Findings from the Shanghai Diet and Health Survey

Discrimination between the Triglyceride Form and the Ethyl Ester Form of Fish Oil Using Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Although the triglyceride form is the natural form of fish oil found in fish, the ethyl ester form of fish oil, which is used during processing to save costs, is also present on the market. In this study, fatty acids and lipids were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-LIT/MS), respectively, according to developed methods. The identification of fatty acids was based on the mass spectral characteristics and equivalent chain lengths. However, the fatty acid contents of both forms of fish oils are quite similar. The application of the LC-LIT/MS method for the structural characterization of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and the mechanism of LIT/MS fragmentation are also discussed. Neutral losses of CH2=CH2 (m/z 28) and CH3CH2OH (m/z 46), which are LIT/MS characteristics of ethyl ester from fish oil, were found for the first time. The triglyceride form of fish oils was easily and accurately identified using fingerprint chromatography. In conclusion, lipid analysis combined with LC-LIT/MS showed an improved capability to distinguish between types of fish oil.

Optimal omegas - barriers and novel methods to narrow omega-3 gaps. A narrative review

Dietary intakes of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (O3LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid are central to development and health across the life course. O3LC-PUFAs have been linked to neurological development, maternal and child health and the etiology of certain non-communicable diseases including age-related cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. However, dietary inadequacies exist in the United Kingdom and on a wider global scale. One predominant dietary source of O3LC-PUFAs is fish and fish oils. However, growing concerns about overfishing, oceanic contaminants such as dioxins and microplastics and the trend towards plant-based diets appear to be acting as cumulative barriers to O3LC-PUFAs from these food sources. Microalgae are an alternative provider of O3LC-PUFA-rich oils. The delivery of these into food systems is gaining interest. The present narrative review aims to discuss the present barriers to obtaining suitable levels of O3LC-PUFAs for health and wellbeing. It then discusses potential ways forward focusing on innovative delivery methods to utilize O3LC-PUFA-rich oils including the use of fortification strategies, bioengineered plants, microencapsulation, and microalgae.