Fish Oil Resin-Refining:

Abstract

Four levels of fish oil and macroporous cation strong acid-resin volume ratios, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1, were used to determine the optimum ratio in terms of the quality of refined oil or fraction-1. Fraction-1 (freely flown oil or refined oil) and fraction-2 (oil retained in the column) were analyzed regarding their quality based on free fatty acid, refractive index, colour, fatty acid profile and sensory evaluation. The results showed that resin refining process significantly improved the fish oilAEs chemical, physical and sensory quality characteristics. The omega-3 fatty acid content in the refined oil fraction was maintained and the level in fraction-2 was significantly higher than the level in fraction-1. Sensory evaluation indicated that the fraction-1 was significantly better than fraction-2. The fish oil and resin volume ratio of 1:1 was found to be the best due to improvement in sensory and chemical characteristics.