Evaluation of the Efficient Oil Extraction Method (Solvent Extraction vs. Wet Pressing) in the Madeiran Sardinella (Sardinella maderensis) and the European Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)

Abdalla Abosreea, Mahmoud Sami; Ali, Amira Ahmed; Walid, Ahd

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.420624.6517

Evaluation of the Efficient Oil Extraction Method (Solvent Extraction vs. Wet Pressing) in the Madeiran Sardinella (Sardinella maderensis) and the European Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Egypt

10.21608/ejabf.2025.420624.6517

Abstract

Fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is a valuable resource for human health, aquaculture, and industrial applications. This study evaluated fish oil extraction from the Madeiran sardinella (Sardinella maderensis) and European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) by comparing solvent extraction (hexane) and wet pressing methods, which were applied to whole fish and to processing by-products. Proximate analysis revealed sardine tissues had higher lipid content, with by-products containing 15–35% more total lipids than whole fish. Results demonstrated that solvent extraction yielded significantly higher oil recovery (P< 0.05) for both species. Sardine by-products showed the highest yield (71.34 ± 1.8% dry weight basis) compared to anchovy by-products (35.60 ± 1.5%). These findings highlight the importance of species selection and extraction methodology in maximizing oil recovery, supporting solvent-based processing of fish by-products for sustainable, high-yield oil production.

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