Oral/enteral nutrition supplements enriched with fish oil are widely used for the recovery of the nutritional status of hospitalized patients, due to the omega‐3 fatty acids content. However, they are targets of adulteration. This study evaluates the lipid quality of five brands of oral/enteral nutrition supplements incorporated with fish oil, available on the Brazilian market (Brazil, Holland, and Germany). The fatty acids are quantified by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection, and the lipid profile is acquired by direct electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry, to assess how fatty acids are present in those samples. The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents found ranged from 1.54 to 19.36% and 4.34 to 27.29%, respectively, in the form of triacylglycerols. However, brand 1 presents the lowest levels of EPA + DHA in its lipid composition, and in three brands, the addition of medium chain triglycerides is identified. The lipid quality assessment of these supplements allows an informed choice of appropriate supplements for the nutritional support of patients.
Practical Applications: The study highlights and provides information of the lipid composition and fatty acids of oral/enteral nutrition supplements enriched with fish oil, indicated for malnourished patients. The findings allow health professionals to make a more informed choice of oral/enteral nutrition for the adequate treatment of patients.
Fatty acids of five brands of oral/enteral nutrition supplements enriched with fish oil and available on the Brazilian market are quantified by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection, and the lipid profile is acquired by electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry. No lipid pattern among the samples is identified.
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