Extraction, characterization, and therapeutic potential of Omega-3 fatty acids from Belone belone skin.

Abstract

This study provides the fatty acid profile, presence of Omega 3 fatty acids (ω3FAs) and therapeutic potential of the skin of Garfish (Belone belone), a highly nutritious fish. The ω3FAs were obtained using the urea crystallization method and confirmed by UV VIS spectroscopy, HPLC, FT-IR, and NMR. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of the ω3FAs was assessedthrough antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and toxicity assays. The oil extracted fromGarfish skin (GS)predominantly contains ω3FAs, palmitic acids, and oleic acids. The ω3FAs exhibit high anti-free radical activity and ferric reducing activity. It reduces nitric oxide production as well as lipid peroxidation under certain time. They also demonstrateeffective antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The biofilm formation is efficiently reduced by ω3FAs and eradication effects on biofilm are higher at 4000µg/mL of concentration. When tested against brine shrimp larvae, ω3FAs were found to be non-toxic. The studyindicates thatGS skin oil contains asignificant amountof omega-3 fatty acids andhas potential therapeutic benefits due toits antioxidant and antibacterial properties,withoutcausing anytoxic effects.Omega-3 fatty acids have the potential toenhance the treatment ofinfections caused byharmfulbacteria and their biofilm formation.Further research is needed to understand how omega-3 fatty acids work to kill bacteriaand how theyaffect bacterial gene expression.