Abstract

Oils from whole mantis shrimp (MS) (Oratosquilla nepa) at two maturity stages, including normal (NMS) and egg-bearing (EMS), were characterized. The lipids of both NMS and EMS were 1.3% (w/w). Oleic acid was the major fatty acid (FA) and DHA was the predominant PUFA in both MS oils and their phospholipid (PL) fractions. The EMS oil had higher cholesterol than the NMS oil (p<0.05). Higher total tocopherols (49.7 vs 40.6 mg/100 g oil), astaxanthins (2.8 vs 1.9 g/100 g oil) and PL (54.7 vs 40.6 g/100 g oil) were observed in the NMS oil (p<0.05). The NMS oil showed better DPPH^• and OH^• scavenging activities and reducing power but lower ABTS^•+ and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> scavenging activities. The NMS oil-loaded nanoemulsions, prepared with different ratios of Span 80 and Tween 80, had smaller and more homogenous sizes (106-238 nm, PDI <0.7) with higher stability. The oil droplet size generally decreased with increasing Tween 80 content (p<0.05). Thus, the NMS oil had a good nutritional profile and could potentially be used with functional foods and supplements.