FA composition of the oil extracted from farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) viscera

The FA composition of visceral oil extracted from farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) viscera was studied. Seventeen FA were identified in the extracted visceral oil, and the major FA were 18:1n9, 16:0, 16:1n7, 20:5n3 (EPA), 14:0, and 22:6n3 (DHA). The percentages of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FA in the total FA were 31.7, 36.0, and 32.2%, respectively. Compared with other fish oils, oil from farmed Atlantic salmon had much higher EPA (1.64 g/100 g) and DHA (1.47 g/100 g) contents. The FA profile of the salmon visceral oil was similar to that of the salmon fillet. Thus, the salmon visceral oil could be a replacement for the oil obtained from edible salmon fillet and used in functional foods or feeds requiring a high level of omega-3 FA. Furthermore, producing visceral oil is also beneficial to salmon fish industry by adding value back to the processing waste.