518 



MARINE PRODUCTS OF COMMERCE 



the physical and chemical characteristics of the products eliminated in each step. 

 The vitamin A concentrate is recovered in each instance as the final fraction. 

 Tables 110-112 contain the results obtained. 



Table 110. Menhaden On. Fractionation. 



This process of fractionating oils is new and for this reason has not come into 

 general use. It is understood that a plant in Capetown, South Africa, is installing 

 this equipment for fractionating fish and fish-liver oils on a commercial scale. 



Production of Vitamin A Oils in the United States 



There are some indications that the production of high-vitamin A-bearing fish- 

 liver oils has reached a peak of supply; unless new sources are found, there may 

 be a serious shortage of this oil. In 1941 there was a production of approximately 

 1,125,000 gallons. After that peak was reached, production fell oflF each year until 

 in 1948 the production was approximately 750,000 gallons. Opinion is divided as 

 to the reasons for this gradual reduction. Most of the extractors are sufficiently 

 concerned to investigate the possibilities of supplementing the domestic supply 



