Supercritical CO2 processing of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids – Towards a biorefinery for fish waste valorization

Driven by growing prevalence of chronic diseases and consumer’s health awareness, food supplements nutraceuticals based on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are extensively marketed nowadays. However, commercial concentrates still present quality issues related to their purity, bioavailability, easily-oxidizable nature, compelling the industry seek for more efficient extraction, concentration formulation methods. Technologies use supercritical CO2 (scCO2) a promising alternative, replacing conventional organic solvents providing milder conditions an inert atmosphere, which reduce risk oxidation. The review analyzes latest advances scCO2 processing PUFAs, focusing its application in biorefinery strategies valorization fish by-products. Still, further research process fundamentals is necessary order increase yield purity while reducing energy auxiliary materials, especially transesterification steps.