Nutritive Value of Marine Oils

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Pure triglyceride separated from fresh menhaden oil proved the equivalent of lard in supporting growth of laboratory rats when added to a semisynthetic basal diet at a 10% level. When experimentally oxidized in glass containers to high peroxide levels (POV = 125 to 310) the triglyceride caused steatitis, enlarged livers and caused high levels of malonaldehyde in the blood and excreta of the animals. Clay-bleached menhaden oil was shown to undergo extensive oxidation changes over a brief period (24 hours). Such “fresh” oil caused toxic symptoms in rats when fed at a 15% dietary level. Symptoms included anorexia, steatitis, lowered hemoglobin levels and death, and they became more extensive or severe as the level of oxidation of the dietary fat increased. Antioxidants, ethoxyquin or α-tocopherol were effective in causing remission of most of the symptoms attributed to presence of the oxidized fats in the diet. Considerable protection was obtained in vivo even after the oil had been allowed to oxidize (POV = 60;) however, most effective protection was achieved when the antioxidants were added to the fresh oil. Differences were shown in antioxidant activity relating to the form of tocopherol and level used. The nature of the metabolic changes resulting from feeding oxidized menhaden oil was discussed, and possible nutrient relationships involved are postulated.