Oil from deep water fish species as a substitute for sperm whale and jojoba oils

Abstract

AbstractThe lipid fraction of the deep water fish species orange roughy (Hoplostetbus atlanticus), black oreo (Allocyttus sp.) and small spined oreo (Pseudocyttus maculatus) had wax esters with even carbon numbers over the range C30 to C46 as the major components. The component acids and alcohols of the wax ester fraction were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and compared with those of jojoba and sperm whale oils. Orange roughy oil was refined and deodorized and its chemical, physical and mechanical properties were determined. Hydrogenation of orange roughy oil produced a range of white crystalline waxes with melting points between 34 and 66 C. The characteristics of these waxes were very similar to those of hydrogenated jojoba oil and spermaceti. Lubricant tests performed on sulfurized orange roughy oil indicated it is comparable to sulfurized jojoba and sperm whale oils as an extreme‐pressure additive in lubricants. The results show a sound technical basis on which to consider an industry based on orange roughy oil and the oreo oils as replacements for sperm whale oil and as substitutes for jojoba oil. Applications for the oil could be in the cosmetic and high‐grade lubricant fields, the waxes in the polish, textile, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and the sulfurized derivative of orange roughy oil in the lubricant industry.