At present, there are many commercial omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids concentrate provider. Do any body have idea which method is mostly used for commercial omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids concentrate production?
Dear colleague!
Usual method for omega-3 concentrate preparation consists in 1) transesterification of fish oil triglycerides (converting them into ethyl esters) and 2) effective freezing out the fraction of saturated and monounsaturated esters (they are crystallized at MUCH higher temperatures than polyunsaturated derivatives, liquid residue containing 60-70% of omega-3 fatty esters).
There is another very effective method of concentrating omega-3 components (employing inclusion complex formation of esters with urea) but it is thought to be preferentially reserch technique.
Perhaps cryogenic aporoach is most cheap and productive being capable to concentrate any polyunsaturated esters (not only ovega-3); cold trap with temperature from -40C to -60C is used usually (as I remember).
