Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae

The main source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in human nutrition is currently seafood, especially oily fish. Nonetheless, due to cultural or individual preferences, convenience, geographic location, or awareness of risks associated to fatty fish consumption, the intake of f...

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Main Authors: João Varela, Khalid M. Abu-Salah, Luísa Barreira, Hugo Pereira, Radhouan Ben-Hamadou, Luísa Custódio, Dulce Alves Martins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2013-06-01
Series:Marine Drugs
Subjects:
EPA
DHA
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/11/7/2259
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spelling doaj-12d2ed3c74744d37bc0167b8008ddac62020-11-24T23:16:08ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972013-06-011172259228110.3390/md11072259Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine MicroalgaeJoão VarelaKhalid M. Abu-SalahLuísa BarreiraHugo PereiraRadhouan Ben-HamadouLuísa CustódioDulce Alves MartinsThe main source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in human nutrition is currently seafood, especially oily fish. Nonetheless, due to cultural or individual preferences, convenience, geographic location, or awareness of risks associated to fatty fish consumption, the intake of fatty fish is far from supplying the recommended dietary levels. The end result observed in most western countries is not only a low supply of n-3 LC-PUFA, but also an unbalance towards the intake of n-6 fatty acids, resulting mostly from the consumption of vegetable oils. Awareness of the benefits of LC-PUFA in human health has led to the use of fish oils as food supplements. However, there is a need to explore alternatives sources of LC-PUFA, especially those of microbial origin. Microalgae species with potential to accumulate lipids in high amounts and to present elevated levels of n-3 LC-PUFA are known in marine phytoplankton. This review focuses on sources of n-3 LC-PUFA, namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, in marine microalgae, as alternatives to fish oils. Based on current literature, examples of marketed products and potentially new species for commercial exploitation are presented.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/11/7/2259marine microalgaen-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acidsEPADHA
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author João Varela
Khalid M. Abu-Salah
Luísa Barreira
Hugo Pereira
Radhouan Ben-Hamadou
Luísa Custódio
Dulce Alves Martins
spellingShingle João Varela
Khalid M. Abu-Salah
Luísa Barreira
Hugo Pereira
Radhouan Ben-Hamadou
Luísa Custódio
Dulce Alves Martins
Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae
Marine Drugs
marine microalgae
n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
EPA
DHA
author_facet João Varela
Khalid M. Abu-Salah
Luísa Barreira
Hugo Pereira
Radhouan Ben-Hamadou
Luísa Custódio
Dulce Alves Martins
author_sort João Varela
title Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae
title_short Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae
title_full Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae
title_fullStr Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae
title_full_unstemmed Alternative Sources of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Marine Microalgae
title_sort alternative sources of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in marine microalgae
publisher MDPI AG
series Marine Drugs
issn 1660-3397
publishDate 2013-06-01
description The main source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in human nutrition is currently seafood, especially oily fish. Nonetheless, due to cultural or individual preferences, convenience, geographic location, or awareness of risks associated to fatty fish consumption, the intake of fatty fish is far from supplying the recommended dietary levels. The end result observed in most western countries is not only a low supply of n-3 LC-PUFA, but also an unbalance towards the intake of n-6 fatty acids, resulting mostly from the consumption of vegetable oils. Awareness of the benefits of LC-PUFA in human health has led to the use of fish oils as food supplements. However, there is a need to explore alternatives sources of LC-PUFA, especially those of microbial origin. Microalgae species with potential to accumulate lipids in high amounts and to present elevated levels of n-3 LC-PUFA are known in marine phytoplankton. This review focuses on sources of n-3 LC-PUFA, namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, in marine microalgae, as alternatives to fish oils. Based on current literature, examples of marketed products and potentially new species for commercial exploitation are presented.
topic marine microalgae
n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
EPA
DHA
url http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/11/7/2259
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