Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals and omega-3 fatty acids in commercially available Korean functional fish oil supplements

In this study, the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid; DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid; EPA), as well as chemical indices including acid and peroxide values were determined among twenty-four commercially available functional fish oil supplements. The sum of indicator PCB congeners (congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) was below the limit of quantification of 0.043 mg kg⁻¹. Metallic compounds (Cd, Pb, Hg and As) were not detected in all fish oil supplement samples. The relative percentages of EPA and DHA in fish oil supplements ranged from 25% to 80%. The acid values ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 mg KOH per g oil, and peroxide values ranged from 2.7 to 28.8 meq per kg oil. All fish oil supplement samples tested in current study met the safety standard for fish oil supplements set by Korean government as well as International standard.