Hydrogenated menhaden acid (inci)

Hydrogenated menhaden acid are the hardened fatty acids from the menhaden fish oil (Atlantic menhaden or bunker = Brevoortia tyrannus, a fish from the herring family, which occurs on the North American Atlantic coast). The hardened fish fatty acids are used in cosmetic formulations and act as emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids like water and oil so that they can be mixed together) and surfactant.

1. Sosenko IR et al (1989) Menhaden fish oil, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and protection of newborn rats from oxygen toxicity. Pediatric Res 25:399-404.