A mini review on the processing, characterization, health benefits, and applications of patin fish oil products (Pangasius sp.)

The patin fish (Pangasius sp.) is a freshwater species known for its high oil yield, making it a precious resource for producing fish oil. Oil from this species, patin fish oil (PFO), is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA), which are valuable for human health. This review aimed to provide a scientific description of the nutritional contents, processing, production, purification, physicochemical properties, and health benefits of PFO and its application in the pharmaceutical and food industries. PFO can be derived from different fish parts, including the head, flesh, belly fat, offal, and bones. Methods for extracting PFO, such as maceration, dry rendering, wet rendering, Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), direct pressing, and steaming, have their benefits and drawbacks. The extracted fish oil takes the form of crude oil, which requires another step to purify it. Purification will enhance the quality of the fish oil according to food-grade fish oil standards, in this case, the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS), and ensure that the final oil is free of impurities. Filtering, settling, centrifugation, degumming, neutralization, bleaching, deodorization, and esterification involved in the purification process allow the oil to be preserved from degradation and retain its nutrients. Fish oil (FO) can be characterized utilizing the AOAC INTERNATIONAL method, which includes tests for acid, peroxide, iodine, saponification, anisidine, and fatty acid values. In the pharmaceutical industry, PFO can provide neuroprotective and antioxidant effects, improve cardiovascular health, boost the immune system, and treat cosmetic and skin conditions, such as photoaging, skin cancer, hypersensitivity, dermatitis, cutaneous wounds, and melanogenesis. Meanwhile, it can be used in the food industry's nutritional supplements, products, and preservatives. FO products on the market come in soft capsule and emulsion forms. With its unique properties, PFO holds the potential for the health and pharmaceutical industries, positioning it as a promising product for the future.