Lipid, fatty acid and squalene composition of liver oil from six species of deep-sea sharks collected in southern australian waters

Abstract

The liver oils from the deep-sea sharks Somniosus pacificus, Centroscymnus plunketi, Centroscymnus crepidater, Etmopterus granulosus, Deania calcea and Centrophorus scalpratus were analysed to describe their lipid, fatty acid and squalene compositions. The major lipids in all species of shark were diacylglyceryl ethers and triacylglycerols, and the major hydrocarbon was squalene. Only trace levels of polar lipids were detected. Monounsaturated fatty acids (C 16:1, C 18:1, C 20:1, C 22:1 and C 24:1) comprised 62–84% of the fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids contributed 11–26% of the total fatty acids, while polyunsaturated fatty acids were relatively minor components (1–13%). All sharks had different lipid compositions, but similar fatty acid and diol profiles. The high squalene content (50–82% of oil) of all species, except Centroscymnus plunketi and Somniosus pacificus suggests that the oil from these deep-sea sharks collected in southern Australian waters will be suitable for industrial uses.