Cervonic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid which is basic structural component of human brain, skin, cerebral cortex and retina. It is named as 22:6(n-3) in physiological literature. It could be synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid or directly obtained from fish oil, maternal milk or algae oil. Its structure is carboxylic acid having 22 carbon chain and 6 cis double bonds with first double bond placed at the third carbon from omega end. DHA is manufactured commercially from microalgae: Crypthecodinium cohnii and another of the genus Schizochytrium. DHA manufactured with microalgae is vegetarian. In strict herbivores, DHA is internally manufactured from α-linolenic acid which is a shorter omega-3 fatty acid created by plants. Omnivores and carnivores obtain DHA from diet.
Food Sources
| Food name | Weight (g) | Cervonic acid (g) |
| Salmon | 13.6 | 2.480 |
| Mackerel | 80 | 2.372 |
| Herring fish | 143 | 1.580 |
| American shad | 85 | 1.123 |
| Tilefish | 150 | 1.099 |
| Bass fish | 124 | 0.930 |
| Sablefish | 85 | 0.782 |
| Bluefish | 117 | 0.778 |
| Rainbow trout | 143 | 0.744 |
| Swordfish | 85 | 0.656 |
| Pompano fish | 88 | 0.444 |
| Drum fish | 85 | 0.313 |
| Pollock | 85 | 0.297 |
| Fish broth | 244 | 0.246 |
| Oyster | 85 | 0.194 |
| Cisco fish | 28.35 | 0.174 |
| Egg | 85 | 0.169 |
| Jellyfish | 58 | 0.145 |
| Octopus | 85 | 0.138 |
| Conch | 127 | 0.091 |
Health Benefits of Cervonic acid
- Mental health
Study shows that DHA promotes memory and slow onset of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology in mice. However human trials show that Cervonic acid did not lower decline of mental function in elderly people having mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. When used as a treatment, it promoted blood levels of DHA and increased brain DHA levels which is based on measured increase of DHA in participant’s cerebrospinal fluid.
- Cancer prevention
In mice, cervonic acid inhibits growth of human colon carcinoma cells more than other omega-3 PUFAs. Cytotoxic effect of DHA was not caused by enhanced lipid perioxidation. Yet, different cancer lines might handle PUFAs differently and demonstrate various sensitivities towards them. It promotes efficacy of chemotherapy in prostate cancer cells in vitro. Cervonic acid promotes efficacy of chemotherapy in prostate cancer cells.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docosahexaenoic_acid
http://www.tuscany-diet.net/lipids/list-of-fatty-acids/docosahexaenoic/