[Omega-3 fatty acid preparations--a comparative study].

Fifteen food supplements and 1 medicine, formulated as soft capsules and containing omega-3 fatty acids, were evaluated with different tests, including desegregation, determination of the anisidine and peroxide values and assay of the omega-3 acids according to the European Pharmacopoeia. All the products contained purified fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6; DHA), and available as triglycerides, ethyl esters or free fatty acids. The medicinal product complied with the fixed requirements whereas 7 of the 15 food supplements deviated from 1 or more of the criteria with regard to the peroxide value and the content of 1 or more of the fattty acids.