Quality Assessment of Omega-3 Supplements Available in the Brazilian Market
AUTOR(ES)
Galuch, Marília B., Carbonera, Fabiana, Magon, Thiago F. S., Silveira, Roberta da, Santos, Patrícia D. S. dos, Pizzo, Jessica S., Santos, Oscar O., Visentainer, Jesuí V.
FONTE
J. Braz. Chem. Soc.
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2018-03
RESUMO
Omega-3 fish oil supplements are widely consumed as source of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, presenting beneficial effects on human health. This study aimed to evaluate fifteen brands of omega-3 fish oil supplements available in Brazilian market in order to estimate the Brazilian reality regarding those supplements. Twelve fatty acids were quantified by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and lipid profile were obtained via mass spectrometry fingerprinting using direct electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to assess the form in which fatty acids are present as well as the possible fraud existence. Among all analyzed samples, thirteen brands were revealed as EPA and DHA sources (90.2-440.3 and 77.8-302.3 mg g-1lipid, respectively) in triacylglycerols (TAG) or ethyl esters (EE) form. However, two brands were discovered with addition of large amounts of soybean oil, leading the final consumer to ingest this low-cost oil believing that they are consuming adequate doses of EPA and DHA.
