Technical Applications Of Fish Oils

The highly unsaturated properties make the oils (and particularly their highly unsaturated fractions) suitable for a number of technical applications, particularly as drying oils and varnishes. The saturated fatty acid fraction is a disadvantage for these purposes and must be reduced. Several specialized processes for this reduction are available.

Fish oils are a significant source for the production of fatty acids with a wide spectrum of chain lengths. From these acids are produced several types of metallic soaps, some of which are used in lubricating greases while others are used as water proofing agents. Small quantities of fatty acids are used pharmaceutically and medicinally and for scientific research purposes.