Abstract

The objectives of the present study were to assess the oxidative stability of South Korean n-3 (omega-3 fatty acid) supplements carried out from 2018 to 2019 and evaluate the influence of product characteristics on oxidative safety. A total of 76 n-3 supplements were analysed for oxidation safety by four markers, including acid value (AV), primary oxidation (peroxide value, PV), secondary oxidation (p-anisidine value, pAV) and total oxidation value (TOTOX). Among the supplements tested, 5.3 %, 55.3 %, 28.9 % and 46.1 % exceeded the international voluntary recommended levels for AV, PV, pAV and TOTOX, respectively. Purity (%) of products, remainder of expiration date (suggested shelf life), package in press through package (PTP) and products with additives had statistically significant differences oxidation assessment levels (p < 0.05). In addition, n-3 group found in Algae oil had significantly lower AV levels than the group that did not, and product with Alaska pollack oil, had significantly higher pAV levels than without group (p < 0.05). The high oxidation status of South Korean n-3 products in the present study could not be considered a public health problem right now. However, the levels of oxidation may affect a lot the efficacy and safety of using n-3 supplements. Thus, current oxidation safety limits should be reestablished by regulatory bodies to ensure the safety and efficacy of n-3 supplements, so that the standards could be applied to the products available to consumers.