Review of the composition and current utilization of Calanus finmarchicus – Possibilities for human consumption

• Published in: Trends in Food Science & Technology
• Main Authors: Eysteinsson, Stefán Th, Gudjónsdóttir, María, Jónasdóttir, Sigrún H., Arason, Sigurjón
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Biology; Oceanography; General; Alternative marine resources; Calanus finmarchicus; Chemical composition; Current utilization; Human consumption; Fisheries; Natural resources; Chemical compositions; Industrial methods; Life history; Lipid composition; Marine resources; Overexploitation; Marine biology; /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/life_below_water; name=SDG 14 - Life Below Water
• Online Access: https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/publications/d8da63ae-d4f4-4fa5-af45-598b8d21c9c2; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.06.019

Background: The continuous high expectations on the world's fisheries to provide products for human consumption is leading to increased overexploitation of fishing stocks. This unsustainable exploitation desperately calls for other suitable resources that can relieve the pressure on the fisheries. The utilization of Calanus finmarchicus has been proposed as a suitable alternative. There is, however, still a question of both ecological and economical sustainability of such exploitation. Scope and approach: This review describes currently utilized marine resources, and compares the suitability of C. finmarchicus as a useful alternative for those resources. Additionally, the review describes the life history and chemical composition of C. finmarchicus. Current utilization of C. finmarchicus is also described, along with industrial methods used to derive various products from Calanus, as well as a discussion of other potential products from the resource. Key findings and conclusions: C. finmarchicus can potentially be considered an alternative marine resource as it has a unique lipid composition, is rich in antioxidants, and contains diverse enzymes. However, the question of sustainable catching remains unanswered and must be addressed before C. finmarchicus can be considered for utilization.