Salmon by-product storage and oil extraction

Oils extracted from wild salmon by-products are excellent sources of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, quality loss is expected if time delays are encountered before oil extraction. The free fatty acid levels (FFA), fatty acid profile and total fat soluble antioxidant activity in extracted oil from aging pink salmon heads and viscera stored at two temperatures (6 and 15 °C) for four days were determined. The FFA values in raw salmon heads and viscera increased with storage time and temperature. A significant difference (p < 0.05) from the starting material was noted at day 1 at both temperatures for FFA. Fatty acid composition data indicated no changes in the levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids with the respective temperature. The concentration of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA ranged from 9.3 to 11.3 g/100 g of crude oil and DHA ranged from 12.3 to 13.1 g/100 g of crude oil. The antioxidant activity of the pink salmon oils at day 0 was 0.89 ± 0.15 μmole Trolox equivalent/g of crude oil. Significant decreases (p < 0.05) from the starting material were noted on day 2 for 15 °C samples and day 3 for 6 °C samples. After four days of storage antioxidant levels (Trolox equivalent/g of crude oil) were approximately 25% of initial values. Oil extracted from raw salmon heads and viscera remained a good source of long chain omega-3 fatty acids even after 4 days of raw material storage at 15 °C; however, fat soluble antioxidant activity was reduced and free fatty acid levels increased with increased raw material storage temperature and time.