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On the potential application of polar and temperate marine microalgae for EPA and DHA production
Boelen, P.; van Dijk, R.; Sinninghe Damsté, J.S.; Rijpstra, W.I.C.; Buma, A.G.J. (2013). On the potential application of polar and temperate marine microalgae for EPA and DHA production. AMB Express 3(26): 1-9. https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/2191-0855-3-26
In: AMB Express. Springer: Berlin. ISSN 2191-0855; e-ISSN 2191-0855, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Chaetoceros brevis F.Schütt, 1895 [WoRMS]; Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) W.W.Hay & H.Mohler, 1967 [WoRMS]; Fibrocapsa japonica S.Toriumi & H.Takano, 1973 [WoRMS]; Pyramimonas Schmarda, 1849 [WoRMS]; Conticribra weissflogii (Grunow) K.Stachura-Suchoples & D.M.Williams, 2009 † [WoRMS]
Author keywords
    Eicosapentaenoic acid, Docosahexaenoic acid, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Chaetoceros brevis, Fibrocapsa japonica, Emiliania huxleyi, Pyramimonas sp.

Authors  Top 
  • Boelen, P.
  • van Dijk, R.
  • Sinninghe Damsté, J.S., more
  • Rijpstra, W.I.C., more
  • Buma, A.G.J.

Abstract
    Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are considered essential omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition. In marine microalgae EPA and/or DHA are allegedly involved in the regulation of membrane fluidity and thylakoid membrane functioning. The cellular content of EPA and DHA may therefore be enhanced at low temperature and irradiance conditions. As a result, polar and cold temperate marine microalgal species might potentially be suitable candidates for commercial EPA and DHAproduction, given their adaptation to low temperature and irradiance habitats. In the present study we investigated inter- and intraspecific EPA and DHA variability in five polar and (cold)temperate microalgae. Intraspecific EPA and DHA content did not vary significantly in an Antarctic (Chaetoceros brevis ) and a temperate (Thalassiosira weissflogii) centric diatom after acclimation to a range of irradiance levels at two temperatures. Interspecific variability was investigated for two Antarctic(Chaetoceros brevis and Pyramimonas sp. (Prasinophyceae)) and three cold-temperate species (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Emiliania huxleyi(Prymnesiophyceae)and Fibrocapsa japonica(Raphidophyceae)) during exponential growth. Interspecific variability was shown to be much more important than intraspecific variability. Highest relative and absolute levels of DHA were measured in the prymnesiophyte E. huxleyi and the prasinophyte Pyramimonas sp., while levels of EPA were high in theraphidophyte F. japonica and the diatoms C. brevis and T. weissflogii. Yet, no significant differences in LC-PUFAcontent were found between polar and cold-temperate species. Also, EPA and DHA production rates varied s ongly between species. Highest EPA production rate (174 µ gL -1 day -1) was found in the Antarctic diatom Chaetoceros brevis, while DHA production was highest in the cold-temperate prymnesiophyteEmiliania huxleyi(1640 gL -1 day -1). We show that, following careful species selection, effective mass cultivation of marine microalgae for EPA and DHA production may be possible under low temperature and irradiance conditions.

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