0NFHB › product › sample-8042139.pdf · the oil, termed “medical cod liver oil,” was liberated and collected to be sold as a pharmaceutical. While scientific documentation

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“The report reviews, analyzes and projects the global market for Marine and Algal Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) EPA/DHA Ingredients for the period 2009-2020”

A Global Market Overview

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

Omega-3

Report Code: PH004Pages: 410Charts: 126Price: Sample

Published: Feb 2014

Redefines Business Acumen

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) – A Global Market Overview © Industry Experts, All Rights Reserved

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INTRODUCTION

The past several decades have been witness to research studies that have underscored the significance of omega-3 fatty acids in maintaining heart health, in addition to safeguarding against cancer and birth defects and offsetting symptoms of diabetes, arthritis, cognitive decline, depression and several other conditions. Omega-3 Polyunsatuarated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) have been growing and continues to grow significantly in the future, attributed to the above benefits.

There are many contributing factors that may influence the omega-3s market in the future. Though the predominance of fish oil in the global market for omega-3 has been driving the market and would continue to do so, the scenario of the future is likely to depict a contrasting picture. For one, the market has been witnessing a marked shift towards products with higher concentrations, a trend that has been more conspicuous in the developing world. This has been the consequence of consumers upgrading from lower concentrate products to higher concentrate products in a bid to get more EPA/DHA per capsule or softgel. Products with higher concentrations offer the benefit of obtaining the similar health promoting levels of EPA and DHA, though in smaller or fewer capsules or softgels.

Pharmaceutical drugs, by default, have started incorporating higher concentrations of omega-3 and it is anticipated that, over the coming few years, several new companies would be jumping on to the bandwagon of omega-3 drugs. Several drugs are in Phase II or Phase III clinical trials, with several more expected to come on-stream quite soon. However, the coming year or two is likely to witness an influx of new companies invading the global omega-3 market, provided they obtain the USFDA’s or other relevant authorities’ approvals.

In a global scenario where increasing attention is being directed towards issues of sustainability and limited food supplies, algal sources offer immense scope for the rapidly expanding omega-3 market to continue in the same vein. The focus on obtaining EPA and DHA from algae was prompted by an endeavor to seek out more sustainable sources, since EPA and DHA are naturally contained in algae. Moreover, the omega-3 content in fish and krill originates from their consuming the algae directly or other creatures that feed on algae. In addition to being sustainable, algae also allows for farming that can be of help in putting up desirable labels, such as “vegetarian,” “kosher” or even “organic.”

Expansion of market access and production capabilities of numerous players in the omega-3 space has been motivated through greater consumer awareness and demand for Omega-3 in triglyceride form. Research has established improved absorption and bioavailability of triglyceride omega-3 when compared to the ethyl ester form. Hence, manufacturers are presented with an unmatched opportunity to address the growing trend evolving from choosing omega-3 triglycerides over ethyl esters, specifically in ultrapure and highly concentrated forms.

On the other side of the coin, specifically in the United States, a negative July 2013 study on omega-3 which connected to prostate cancer risk has hampered the omega-3 market growth. United States omega-3 ingredient sales in second half of the year 2013 in dietary supplement sector has been significantly reduced compared to other application sectors. The impact is believed to be only in the US omega-3 market and there is little bit or no impact observed in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. Omega-3 industry has been defending and will defend these negative studies in the future and omega-3 sales are expected to be growing as usual in the coming years.

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Worldwide, consumption of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), estimated at xxxx thousand metric tons worth US$xx billion in 2013, is forecast to be xxxx thousand metric tons valued at US$xx billion in 2014. By 2020, it is projected that demand for Omega-3 PUFAs globally would reach xxx thousand metric tons with a value of US$xxx billion, thereby posting a volume CAGR of almost xx% and a value CAGR of xxx% between 2013 and 2020.

Chart 1: Global Omega-3 PUFAs Market Overview (2013 & 2020) in Volume (Metric Tons) and Value (US$ Million)

Year Volume (MTs) Value (US$ Million)

2013 xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx 2020 xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx CAGR % 13-20 xxxx xxxx

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFAs) ingredients analyzed in this study include EPA and DHA omega-3s from marine oils such as fish oils, krill oils and squid oils; and algal oils. The end use application markets covered in the report include dietary supplements, food & beverages, pet nutrition, infant nutrition, pharmaceuticals and clinical nutrition. The report reviews, analyses and projects the omega-3 PUFAs market for global and the regional markets including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World. The regional markets further analyzed for independent countries across North America – The United States and Canada; Europe – Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark, The United Kingdom and Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific – China, Japan, South Korea, India and Rest of Asia-Pacific.

The study includes 126 charts (includes a data table and graphical representation for each chart), supported with meaningful and easy to understand graphical presentation, of market numbers. The statistical tables represent the data for the global omega-3 ingredients market volume in metric tons and value in US$ by geographic region, the product segment and application area. This study profiles 42 key global players and 106 major players across North America – 29; Europe – 35; Asia-Pacific – 30 and Rest of World – 12. The report also provides the listing of the companies engaged in the manufacturing and supply of omega-3 PUFAs as well as major players in the omega-3 end-use industries such as human nutrition, pet nutrition and pharmaceuticals and major ingredient distributors across the globe. The global list of companies covers addresses, contact numbers and the website addresses of 294 companies.

2013 2020

Volume (MTs) Value (US$ Million)

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Evolution of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ingredient Forms

The evolution of omega-3 ingredient forms can typically be categorized into four generations, with the differences among generations becoming evident in product purity and documented health benefits of each product. While all the generations co-exist with none of them being outdated, significant intrinsic differences do exist. Suppliers have increasingly started using the omega-3 forms to differentiate their products in view of the fact that the number of omega-3 sources in the market has been increasing to now include fish, krill, squid, algae and plants. Omega-3 ingredient suppliers have been engaged in a war of words, with studies comparing the bioavailability of the various sources emerging.

Table 7: Forms of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ingredients

1st Generation 2nd Generation 3rd Generation 4th Generation

Cod Liver Oil Methyl Esters (ME) Monoglycerides (MAG) Structured Omega-3s Refined Fish Oils Phospholipids Omega-3 Salts Sphingolipids Ethyl Esters (EE) Resolvins & Protectins Triglycerides (rTGs/TAG) Liposomal EPA/DHA Free Fatty Acids (FFAs) Glycolipids Wax Ester Omega-3

Source: GOED (Global Organization for EPA and DHA)

First Generation Omega-3 Forms

The first generation form of omega-3 comprises pure and refined fish oil and cod liver oils, with a product portfolio more than a thousand years old that primarily includes unrefined fish oils. In ancient Rome, fish guts placed in a barrel with sea water were allowed to ferment and the oil that floated to the top was collected meticulously. This fermented fish oil was considered a health elixir, with only the nobility and soldiers having access to it. Viking diets were rich in cod liver oil, which also has a centuries old history in the curing and prevention of scores of diseases, including rheumatism.

Norwegian entrepreneur and pharmacist Peter Möller, in 1852, devised a technique for producing a purified fish oil using a process that required rapidly heating fish liver with steam. Within one hour, the oil, termed “medical cod liver oil,” was liberated and collected to be sold as a pharmaceutical. While scientific documentation was sparse at that time, there did exist a considerable body of subjective knowledge that propagated the health benefits of cod liver oil.

From that time onwards, several scientific studies started being conducted on omega-3 fatty acids, resulting in the development of a range of fatty acid forms. Despite this, cod liver oils and refined fish oils with 18/12 EPA/DHA ratios continued to occupy a significant share of the market.

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Omega-3 PUFA End-Use Application Analysis Omega-3 PUFA ingredients have been used in human as well as animal (premiuim pet nutrition) applications and can be found in several products and forms. The Omega-3 market can be categorized into six following catogireis by end-use applications:

· Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 PUFAs have been widely used in health ingredient supplements, which do not need any priscription. Omega-3 ingredients in these applications are added directly into product formulations.

· Food & Beverages: Number of foods and beverages are fortified with Omega-3 PUFA ingredients currently, such as milk. Omega-3 ingredients are added directly into processed food and beverage formulations.

· Infant Nutrition: Omega-3 PUFA ingredients for all infant formula products.

· Pet Nutrition: Omega-3 PUFA ingredients for premium pet foods, supplements and other pet nutritional needs.

· Pharmaceuticals: Prescription drugs manufactured using high concentrated omega-3 ingredients.

· Clinical nutrition: Omega-3 PUFA ingredients applied for therapeutic foods in medical practices.

For the year 2012, a total of xxxx thousand metric tons of Omega-3 PUFAs worth US$x.x billion was consumed globally, with Dietary Supplements, the largest application area, accounting for a volume share of xx% (xxx thousand metric tons) and a value share of xx% (US$xxx million) in that year. While the volume share of Pet Nutrition in terms of volume was high at xxx% or xxx thousand metric tons in 2012, this application area’s value share was quite small at x% or US$xxx million in the same year. In contrast, Pharmaceuticals, though accounting for a volume share of x% equating to xx thousand metric tons of Omega-3 PUFAs in 2012, cornered a larger value share of xx% that translated into US$xxx million in that year. This trend was observed in Infant Nutrition, too, which cornered a volume share of xx% or xxx thousand metric tons and a value share of xxx% or US$xxx million worth of Omega-3 PUFAs in 2012.

Chart 13: Snapshot for Global Omega3 PUFAs Market Share (2012) by End-Use Applications

Application Volume (MTs) % Share MTs Value (US$ M) % Share US$

Dietary Supplements xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx Pet Nutrition xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx Food & Beverages xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx Infant Nutrition xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx Pharmaceuticals xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx Clinical Nutrition xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx Total xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx

Volume % Share MTs Value % Share US$ SAMPLE


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Global Omega-3 PUFAs Installed Capacities

Worldwide, the installed capacity of Omega-3 PUFAs totaled xxx thousand metric tons in 2012, which is estimated to be xxx thousand metric tons in 2015. Norway was the largest country for installed capacity of Omega-3 PUFAs, accounting for a share of xxx% equating to xxx thousand metric tons in 2012, and is likely to remain the leading country even in 2015, with an estimated share of xxx% or xxx thousand metric tons. Chinese installed capacity of Omega-3 PUFAs in 2012 was xxx thousand metric tons, which is estimated to remain constant in 2015. In terms of growth, it is expected that installed capacity of Omega-3 PUFAs in the United States would register a growth of xxx% between 2012 and 2015 to reach an estimated xxx thousand metric tons in 2015, as against x thousand metric tons in 2012. However, the largest magnitude of growth in Omega-3 PUFA installed capacity of xxx% between these two years is anticipated from Peru, estimated to reach xxx thousand metric tons in 2015 from x thousand metric tons in 2012.

Chart 21: Global Omega-3 PUFAs Installed Capacities (2012 and 2015E) by Country in Metric Tons

Country 2012 2015E

Norway xxxxxxx xxxxxxx China xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Canada xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Chile xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Iceland xxxxxxx xxxxxxx USA xxxxxxx xxxxxxx France xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Netherlands xxxxxxx xxxxxxx UK xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Peru xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Japan xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Other xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Total xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

2012 2015E

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KEY GLOBAL PLAYERS

AKER BIOMARINE AS (NORWAY) Fjordallèen 16, P.O. Box 1423 Vika, 0115, Oslo, Norway Phone: +47 24 13 00 00 Fax: +47 24 13 01 10 Email: [email protected] Website: www.akerbiomarine.com

Business Profile

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Aker BioMarine AS, an integrated biotechnology company, is engaged in developing and distributing value added products that are supplied to the animal, human nutrition and pharmaceutical industries. Principal activities of the company include the harvest, production and marketing of biomarine ingredients, such as krill-based products using an optimized value chain extending from raw materials to end-users. Oil and meal products derived from krill are rich in bioactive ingredients, such as omega-3 bound phospholipids and astaxanthin that have been proven to offer positive health benefits for humans, as well as animals. Aker BioMarine’s June 2007 merger with Natural ASA has enabled the company in extending its offerings in the field of nutraceuticals, such as dietary supplements and functional foods, thereby reinforcing its position as a key player in nutraceutical applications of lipids, product development, intellectual property rights (IPR), R&D and product commercialization. The company’s operations are categorized into upstream, aqua and nutrition & health, with upstream activities comprising the harvest and production of high-value marine products derived from the vast reserves of krill in the Antarctic waters. Under the aqua business operation, Aker BioMarine’s Qrill™ is the registered brand name for the company’s krill meal and krill oil products utilized by the aquaculture feed industry. The nutrition & health business of the company offers Superba™ branded krill oil products for the human nutrition industry. Aker BioMarine has also entered into long-term license agreements with Cognis, BASF and Crocklaan Lipid Nutrition.

Product Portfolio

Product Offering Particulars

Healthy Superba™ (Superba™ Krill Oil) Branded krill oil products for human nutrition, with high content of omega-3 phospholipids and astaxanthin antioxidant, products recognized as promoting physical and mental health

Superba Krill Caps (Krill Concentrate) Krill concentrate capsulated products enriched with omega-3 phospholipids

Qrill™ Branded krill meal and krill oil products for aquaculture feed applications, ideal for salmon in providing improved feed uptake and growth

Tonalin® Branded conjugated linoleic acid product, which is a fatty acid that helps in changing body composition by cutting down fat and increasing or maintaining lean muscle

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Global Omega-3 PUFAs Market Overview by Ingredient Type

Volume Analysis Accounting for an estimated volume share of xxxx% equating to xxxx thousand metric tons in 2013, the global Omega-3 PUFAs market is dominated by xx/xx Fish Oils, consumption of which is forecast at xx thousand metric tons in 2014 and projected to reach xxx thousand metric tons by 2020, thereby registering a CAGR of xx% between 2013 and 2020. In terms of growth, however, Krill Oils are expected to surpass all other Omega-3 PUFA raw material sources by witnessing a 2013-2020 compounded annual rate of xx% in reaching a projected x thousand metric tons by 2020, compared to an estimated xx thousand metric tons in 2013 and a forecast xx thousand metric tons in 2014. In contrast, global consumption of Tuna Oil Omega-3s is estimated at xx thousand metric tons in 2013 and forecast to be x thousand metric tons in 2014, is likely to post the slowest CAGR of xx% during 2013-2020 to reach a projected xx thousand metric tons by 2020. High Concentrates (>xx%), Medium Concentrates (xxxx%), Algal Oils and Salmon Oils are expected to be the other Omega-3 types that are anticipated to sustain double digit CAGRs over the 2013-2020 analysis period.

Chart 39: Global Omega 3 PUFAs Market Overview (2009-2020) by Product Ingredient Type – 18/12 Fish Oils, Tuna Oils, Cord Liver Oils, Sardine Oils, Low Concentrates (40-60%), Medium Concentrates (70-85%), High

Concentrates (>85%), Krill Oils, Algal Oils and Squid Oils in Metric Tons

Year 18/12 Fish Oils

Cord Liver Oils Tuna Oils Salmon Oils

Low Concentrates

(40-55%)

Medium Concentrates

(60-80%)

High Concentrates

(>85%) Krill Oils Algal Oils Other Total

2009 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2010 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2011 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2012 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2013 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2014 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2015 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2016 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2017 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2018 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2019 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx 2020 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx CAGR % 13-20 xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

18/12 Fish Oils Cord Liver Oils Tuna Oils Salmon Oils Low Concentrates (40-55%) Medium Concentrates (60-80%) High Concentrates (>85%) Krill Oils Algal Oils Other

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Global Omega-3 PUFAs End-Use Application Market Overview by Geographic Region

Dietary Supplements

Volume Analysis

Global consumption of Omega-3 PUFAs for Dietary Supplements, estimated at xxx thousand metric tons in 2013 and forecast xx thousand metric tons in 2014, is further anticipated to record a CAGR of xxx% between 2013 and 2020 to reach a projected xxx thousand metric tons by 2020. In addition to being the largest market for Omega-3 PUFA consumption in Dietary Supplement applications, with an estimated 2013 share of xxx% equating to xxx thousand metric tons, Asia-Pacific is also slated to emerge as the fastest growing by compounding at an annual rate of xxx% over 2013-2020 and reach a projected Omega-3 PUFA consumption of xxx thousand metric tons by 2020 from a forecast xxx thousand metric tons in 2014. On the other hand, Euopean consumption of Omega-3 PUFAs for Dietary Supplements is expected to sustain the slowest 2013-2020 CAGR of xx% in reaching a projected xxx thousand metric tons by 2020 from an estimated xxx thousand metric tons in 2013 and a forecast xxx thousand metric tons in 2014.

Chart 55: Global Omega-3 PUFAs End-use Application in Dietary Supplements Market Analysis (2009-2020) by Geographic Region – North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World in Metric Tons

Year North America Europe Asia-Pacific Rest of World Total

2009 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2010 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2011 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2012 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2013 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2014 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2015 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2016 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2017 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2018 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2019 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx 2020 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx CAGR % 13-20 xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

North America Europe Asia-Pacific Rest of World

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Asia-Pacific Omega-3 PUFAs Market Overview by Region

Volume Analysis

China is the clear leader in the region’s volume market for Omega-3 PUFAs, cornering an estimated 2013 share of xxxx% that translates into xxxx thousand metric tons. Forecast at xx thousand metric tons in 2014, Chinese volume consumption of Omega-3 PUFAs is further projected to reach xxx thousand metric tons by 2020, thereby reflecting the fastest CAGR of xx% in overall Asia-Pacific between 2013 and 2020. The collective Omega-3 PUFAs volume markets of Australia/New Zealand are anticipated to be the slowest growing, sustaining a compounded annual rate of x% over 2013-2020 to reach a projected xx thousand metric tons by 2020 from an estimated xx thousand metric tons in 2013 and a forecast xx thousand metric tons in 2014. Prospects for rapid expansion in the Indian volume market for Omega-3 PUFAs are also quite bright, which is projected to reach xx thousand metric tons in 2020 as against an estimated xx thousand metric tons in 2013 and a forecast xx thousand metric tons in 2014 to post a 2013-2020 CAGR of xxx%.

Chart 110: Asia-Pacific Omega-3 PUFAs Market Overview (2009-2020) by Region – Japan, China, Australia/New Zealand, South Korea, India and Rest of APAC in Metric Tons

Year Japan China Aus/NZ South Korea India Rest of APAC Total

2009 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2010 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2011 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2012 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2013 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2014 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2015 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2016 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2017 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2018 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2019 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 2020 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx CAGR % 13-20 xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Japan China Aus/NZ South Korea India Rest of APAC

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OMEGA-3 PATENT LANDSCAPE

Patent landscape for Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is very huge as these patents cover wide range of innovations including manufacturing processes, removing contaminations, producing high concentrations and their formulation in end-use applications. It is estimated, as evident from patent search in patent databases, there are around 27 thousand patents applied for above mentioned processes throughout the globe. Out of them, according to industry participants, around 6 thousand patents are filed in the category of manufacturing processes and concentrations. Although much of the patents, especially based on older technologies such as winterization, urea complexion and some molecular distillation methods, have been expired. Also at the same time new processes, such as chromatography, super critical fluid extraction methods, have been developed. Conventional crude fish oil refining processes are now not protected with any patents. Currently, the omega-3 landscape is in the midst of a major paradigm shift toward optimally formulated and very highly concentrated EPA/DHA products. Much of these concentration processes developed recently are patent protected. For example, molecular distillation combined with liquid chromatography and super critical CO2 extraction is now patent protected. In the below sections, recent patents pertaining to omega-3 PUFAs production, purification and concentration processes are described briefly.

Fish Oil Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Typically, the combined content of EPA and DHA in the oils of marine origin is 10% to 35% in weight. Refined fish oils are currently being used in the food and nutraceutical industry as a source of refined omega-3 fatty acids. In general, the refining processes of the fish oils have been adapted from the classic refining processes of vegetable oils and manage to reduce the unpleasant smells and flavors characteristic of fish oils so as to allow their usage in food, beverages and nutraceuticals. Some of these processes are discussed in US patents 4915876 (Robert C. Lindsay - General Mills, Inc. 1990), 4874629 (Stephen S. Chang, 1989), 4804555 ( Steven S. Marschner - General Mills, Inc., 1989), 4599143 (Hermann Stage, 1983) and 4838997 ( Werner Merk, 1989) among others. One advantage of the known fish oil refining processes, in addition to managing to make these oils suitable for human consumption, is that in these processes no significant losses are produced in the original concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in end product. Although, the preparation of special nutraceutical products require omega-3 fatty acids with more than 60% content in weight and pharmaceutical products need omega-3 fatty acids above 80% content in weight. It is evident that these concentrations cannot be achieved using the traditional oil refining processes.

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0NFHB › product › sample-8042139.pdf · the oil, termed “medical cod liver oil,” was liberated and collected to be sold as a pharmaceutical. While scientific documentation