Supercritical CO₂ Extraction of Squid Yellow High-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Fish Oil

Abstract

To achieve high-value utilization of squid processing by-products and address the challenges facing Shidao's offshore fisheries industry, this study utilized squid yellow as the raw material and employed supercritical CO₂ extraction technology to extract high-PUFA fish oil. The research systematically investigated raw material pretreatment, extraction process parameter optimization, product quality assessment, and the process's suitability for industrial-scale application. Results demonstrated an average fish oil extraction rate of 18.6%, PUFA content exceeding 65%, and an oxidation value stable at 4.5±0.2 meq/kg—all meeting regulatory standards with no solvent residues, significantly outperforming traditional solvent extraction methods. The process features modular scalability, excellent compatibility with local raw materials and policies in Shidao, and offers both economic and ecological benefits. This study provides a viable technical solution for high-value utilization of squid yellow and supports the extension of the offshore fisheries processing value chain.