Oil fromCalanus finmarchicus—Composition and Possible Use: A Review

The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are produced by phytoplankton in the marine food web. Zooplankton acts as an important link between phytoplankton and fish at higher trophic levels and may therefore be a potential source for these fatty acids. The copepod Calanus finmarchicus is a lipid-rich zooplankton present in large amounts in the North Atlantic Ocean. The astaxanthin-rich oil contains 80–90 % wax esters consisting of mainly long-chain monounsaturated fatty alcohols esterified to saturated or unsaturated fatty acids. The long-chain n-3 fatty acids may account for 20–30% of the fatty acids in the wax esters. The wax ester rich oil is well utilized by fish, and the history of utilization, safety, and tolerability of wax esters for humans are being addressed. Recent reports indicate that oil from C. finmarchicus may have beneficial health effects beyond those which may be ascribed to intake of EPA and DHA alone.