Omega-3 fatty acid articles of manufacture, and methods and apparatus for making same
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture that feature omega-3 fatty acids co-processed with flavonoid and lipophilic antioxidants for improved stability.
1. A method of making a lipid having concentrated omega-3 fatty acid for use as a food or dietary supplement or medicament, the method comprising the steps of:
combining omega-3 fatty acid from a source of omega-3 fatty acid having an aqueous component and an oil component with
a hydrophilic flavonoid from one or more sources of hydrophilic flavonoid selected from the group consisting of leaves, powders and extracts of green tea, cacao or moringa,
a lipophilic anti-oxidant from a source of lipophilic anti-oxidant, and
melatonin from a source of melatonin in a concentration effective to inhibit lipid destroying enzymes;
forming a particulate omega-3 material from the combined omega-3 fatty acid, hydrophilic flavonoid, lipophilic anti-oxidant, and melatonin;
forming an omega-3 liquid fraction from the particulate omega-3 material, the omega-3 liquid fraction having an aqueous component and an oil component;
separating the aqueous component of the omega-3 liquid fraction from the oil component of the omega-3 liquid fraction to form an omega-3 fatty acid fraction in the form of a lipid having concentrated omega-3 fatty acids, hydrophilic flavonoids, lipophilic anti-oxidants, and melatonin;
monitoring the concentration of melatonin in the lipid in comparison to a standardized value; and
adjusting the concentration of the melatonin combined with the omega-3 fatty acid, hydrophilic flavonoid, and lipophilic anti-oxidant in response to the monitoring.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said source of omega-3 fatty acid is selected from fish and marine animal, plant and algal sources.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said omega 3 liquid fraction is also combined with a source of flavonoid concurrently with the separating step.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of purifying said omega-3 fatty acid fraction to form a purified omega-3 fatty acid fraction.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is performed at temperatures below 99 degrees centigrade.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is performed in a continuous process.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lipophilic anti-oxidant is selected from the group consisting of vitamin E and hemp oil containing natural cannabinoid antioxidants.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the melatonin is in a concentration effective to inhibit lipid oxidation or degradation enzymes.