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Using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS), we have developed a new method for detection and identification of furan fatty acids (F-acids), which are widely distributed in living organisms and foods as minor lipid components and are known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. For this purpose, total fatty acids prepared from the testis lipids of Japanese chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) were examined without any concentration or isolation of F-acids. In negative ESI mode, F-acids gave a prominent [M-H] ion, by which individual F-acids could be detected and identified. High-resolution extracted ion chromatograms clearly showed the occurrence of five major F-acid homologs as already reported by GC/MS. The method was successfully applied to several fish samples and revealed the occurrence of F-acids for the first time in the two New Zealand fish, hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) and school shark (Galeorhinus galeus).

The therapeutic benefits of Greenshell™ mussel (GSM; Perna canaliculus) preparations have been studied using in vitro test systems, animal models, and human clinical trials focusing mainly on anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects. Activity is thought to be linked to key active ingredients that include omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a variety of carotenoids and other bioactive compounds. In this paper, we review the studies that have been undertaken in dogs, cats, and horses, and outline new research directions in shellfish breeding and high-value nutrition research programmes targeted at enhancing the efficacy of mussel and algal extracts. The addition of GSM to animal diets has alleviated feline degenerative joint disease and arthritis symptoms, and chronic orthopaedic pain in dogs. In horses, GSM extracts decreased the severity of lameness and joint pain and provided improved joint flexion in limbs with lameness attributed to osteoarthritis. Future research in this area should focus on elucidating the key active ingredients in order to link concentrations of these active ingredients with their pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effects. This would enable consistent and improved efficacy from GSM-based products for the purpose of improved animal health.

The red seaweed Asparagopsis is rich in bromoform (CHBr3) which effectively inhibits the production of methane in ruminants, and ongoing global research is investigating the potential to utilize Asparagopsis as a feed additive to mitigate livestock methane emissions. Due to its volatility, the concentration of bromoform in the harvested seaweed is affected by processing and storage conditions, and its quantification is thus not trivial. The accurate determination of bromoform in biomass is required for correct inclusion-response calculations and minimum effective feed inclusion rates, for interstudy comparisons, and for optimizing processing protocols. However, no such standardized protocol, with appropriate quality control and quality assurance in place, exists. Here, we present a single-laboratory validation of a simple and rapid GC-MS method for quantifying the concentration of bromoform in seaweeds with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.26 mg/g in freeze-dried material. The method is employed to assess the concentrations of bromoform in frozen and dried Asparagopsis armata and Asparagopsis taxiformis biomass. The linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and robustness of the assay are presented. In addition, the assay was implemented in two independent laboratories, and the results were compared. The assay has been accredited by the International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) as suitable for assessing the concentration of bromoform of frozen and freeze-dried seaweed. Furthermore, the effects of sample storage conditions and freeze-drying of seaweed were investigated, with results highlighting the need of controlled seaweed handling with implications for downstream processing into a potential commercial feed additive.

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