Abstract:
The production of fish oil, especially from species like Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta),
is important both economically and nutritionally because of its high omega-3 fatty acid content.
This study aimed to improve the oil yield from Indian Mackerel by using the Soxhlet extraction
method and petroleum ether as a solvent. The extraction temperature, time, and solvent-tosample
ratio all affect oil yield. Thirteen (13) experimental runs were conducted to evaluate the
effects of different extraction parameters on oil yield. These trials varied the solvent-to-sample
ratio (20–40 ml/g), extraction temperature (50–70 ◦C), and extraction time (3–6 hours). The fish
samples were oven-dried and ground into a uniform particle size of 0.5 mm. After extraction,
the solvent was evaporated with a rotary evaporator, and the oil yield was determined. ANOVA
results showed that oil yield was significantly influenced by extraction time and temperature
(p < 0.0001), with the greatest yield of 33.12% found at 70 ◦C, a 6-hour extraction period,
and a solvent-to-sample ratio of 30 ml/g. The effect of the solvent-to-sample ratio was determined
to be insignificant. The extraction procedure was optimised using the Response Surface
Methodology (RSM) and Design Expert software (version 8.0.7.1). The optimum parameters
for providing the greatest oil production were identified: 72 ◦C, 6.5 hours of extraction time,
and a solvent-to-sample ratio of 30.42 ml/g, yielding 35.60%.
