Comprehensive study of the composition of fish fat extracts and quantitative criteria for distinguishing standardized omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids extracts

Background Effects of drugs and biologically active supplements based on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFA) considerably depend on the standardized content of eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and other fatty acids in the extracts.
Material and methods In this study, we comprehensively examined the composition of 10 ω3 PUFA samples with chromatographic measurement of more than 40 metabolites of fatty acids and other compounds. The data on extract composition were analyzed with current methods of intelligent data analysis (metric condensation method; multidimensional scaling; principal component analysis with axis identification; topology-metrical approach to recognition).
Results Quantitative markers were obtained, which allowed separating the standardized ω3 PUFA-based samples (Omacor, Solgar omega-3 700, Femibion Natalker-2, Omega-3 concentrate, Omegamama) from less standardized ones (Fish oil-Teva, Omegatrin, Omeganol, etc.) based on results of a chromatographic analysis of fatty acid composition in the studied samples (EPA+DHA marker, ω6+ω11 marker, and standardization coefficient showing conformity of measured ω3 PUFA levels with the content stated by the manufacturer).
Conclusions Among the studied samples, the pharmaceutical product Omacor showed the best values of standardization indexes.

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