Fish roe phospholipids and health: Composition, extraction, storage and brain health application

Abstract

Omega-3 phospholipids (n3-PL) are more bioavailable than triacylglyceride (n3-TG) or their ethyl esters (n3-EE) due to higher absorption and better digestibility. n3-PL has been reported as the most effective form of n-3 fatty acids for brain health as only the phospholipid form can enter the brain and enrich the DHA level. Marine, rather than fresh water, fish roe is a great source of phospholipids, which contain a considerable amount of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) as phospholipid form. Therefore, fish roe and its associated products have received much attention in recent research. This chapter provides an overview of the chemical composition and properties of various fish roe, followed by the potential extraction and quantification methods used for fish roe phospholipid analysis. Comparative advantages and disadvantages of each method are also presented to provide a clear overview of each method. In addition, various clinical and subclinal trials evaluating the health benefit of roe phospholipids are discussed.