The lipid biochemistry of eukaryotic algae
Open accessAbstract
Algal lipid metabolism fascinates both scientists and entrepreneurs due to the large diversity of fatty acyl structures that algae produce. Algae have therefore long been studied as sources of genes for novel fatty acids; and, due to their superior biomass productivity, algae are also considered a potential feedstock for biofuels. However, a major issue in a commercially viable "algal oil-to-biofuel" industry is the high production cost, because most algal species only produce large amounts of oils after being exposed to stress conditions. Recent studies have therefore focused on the identification of factors involved in TAG metabolism, on the subcellular organization of lipid pathways, and on interactions between organelles. This has been accompanied by the development of genetic/genomic and synthetic biological tools not only for the reference green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii but also for Nannochloropsis spp. and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Advances in our understanding of enzymes and regulatory proteins of acyl lipid biosynthesis and turnover are described herein with a focus on carbon and energetic aspects. We also summarize how changes in environmental factors can impact lipid metabolism and describe present and potential industrial uses of algal lipids.
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When cultivated under optimal growing conditions, most lipids in microalgae are present in the cellular and plastid membranes.
“When cultivated under optimal growing conditions, most of the lipids in microalgae are present in the cellular and plastid membranes (Li‐Beisson et al., 2019).”
From Perspectives of fluorescence spectroscopy for online monitoring in microalgae industry (2022) · cites this paper as Li‐Beisson et al., 2019
The final destination of lipid-enriched biomass can vary from feed or food supplements to biodiesel production, according to the cell location where the lipid is accumulated and its profile.
“According to the cell location where the lipid is accumulated and its profile, the final destination of the lipid‐enriched biomass can vary from feed or food supplements to biodiesel production (Caballero et al., 2003; Draaisma et al., 2013; Li‐Beisson et al., 2019).”
From Perspectives of fluorescence spectroscopy for online monitoring in microalgae industry (2022) · cites this paper as Li‐Beisson et al., 2019
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- Authors
- Li-Beisson, Y., Thelen, J. J., Fedosejevs, E., & Harwood, J. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Missouri (US)
- Cardiff University (GB)
- Venue
- Progress in Lipid Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-04
- Volume
- 74
- Pages
- 31-68
- ISSN
- 0163-7827 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2914590810
- Cited by
- 453
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 37 · 2025: 66 · 2024: 77 · 2023: 66 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 71 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 15
- FWCI
- 5.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Progress in Lipid Research (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
- HAL AMU (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- French Young Researcher program (ANR JCJC-MUsCA)
- National Science Foundation (PGRP IOS-1339385)
- United Soybean Board (1820-162-0110)
- BBSRC
- NERC
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Keywords
- eukaryotic algae, triglyceride metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, lipid turnover, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, algal oil, biofuels, environmental stress, organelle interactions, algal biomass
- MeSH terms
- Chlorophyta, Lipids, Diatoms, Lipid Metabolism
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