Extraction of omega-3 fatty acids from cultriventris Clupeonella and purification of EPA and DHA by molecular distillation method

The present study was designed to investigate the feasibility of extracting omega-3 fatty acids from cultriventris Clupeonella. Molecular Distiller was designed and built in order to study the effective parameters on the purity of extracted omega-3 fatty acid. Effects of feed methylation، feed temperature، distillation chamber pressure and feed flow rate on product purity were investigated. Clupeonella oil was methylated before feeding and feed from (1-5) ml/min; 170-250 °C; 40-0. 01 mmHg to the system. It was determined that distillation efficiency was lower without methylation separation. The best product was obtained with such process at 230 ºC. Separation would not be possible effective at vacuum pressure over than 0. 1 mmHg.