The Potential of Tuna (Thunnus Sp.) By-Products As A Source of Marine Nutraceuticals

Abstract

Fish oil is one of the main sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which play an important physiological role in human health, particularly in maintaining cardiovascular, brain, and immune system functions. Tuna by-products, especially the eye portion, are known to contain lipids with high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), making them a potential raw material for marine nutraceuticals. This study aims to examine the chemical characteristics and bioactive potential of fish oil extracted from tuna eyes (Thunnus sp.). The extraction process was carried out using the cold centrifugation method at 10,000 rpm and 4°C for 30 minutes. The analyses performed included proximate composition of tuna eyes, oil yield, heavy metal content, oxidation parameters, and fatty acid profile. The results showed that the lipid content in tuna eye by-products was 19.54%, with heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd) not detected. The fatty acid profile was dominated by DHA at 31.50% and EPA at 6.14%. Oxidation values—including free fatty acids, acid value, peroxide value, anisidine value, and total oxidation—were within or below the limits set by the Codex Alimentarius. These findings indicate that tuna eye oil has good quality and strong potential to be developed as a natural marine nutraceutical with economic value, while also supporting the sustainable utilization of fishery by-products.