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Cited by 45Algal biology and biofuel productionLipid metabolism and biosynthesisAquaculture Nutrition and Growth

Lipid Production in Nannochloropsis gaditana during Nitrogen Starvation

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Janssen, Jorijn H., Wijffels, René H., Barbosa, Maria J.·2019·Biology
DOI 10.3390/biology8010005PMC PMC6466408
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Abstract

The microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana is a natural producer of triacylglycerol (TAG) and the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). TAG accumulation is induced by nitrogen starvation. The biomass-specific photon supply rate used had an effect on EPA and TAG accumulation during nitrogen starvation as well as on the localization of EPA accumulation. Clear differences in TAG yield on light were found for different biomass-specific photon supply rates and light regimes during nitrogen starvation. De novo EPA synthesis or the translocation of EPA between lipid fractions might be limiting for EPA accumulation in TAG. Further studies are needed to fully understand EPA accumulation in TAG during nitrogen starvation. To elucidate the function of EPA in TAG nitrogen recovery, experiments are suggested. The overexpression of genes involved in de novo EPA synthesis and translocation is proposed to elucidate the exact metabolic routes involved in these processes during nitrogen starvation. This work addresses future opportunities to increase EPA accumulation.

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  • Biomass produced for feed or food supplement industries is desired to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids EPA or DHA.

    “Biomass produced for the feed or food supplement industries is desired to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega‐3 fatty acids such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) or DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) (Janssen et al., 2019; Li‐Beisson et al., 2019).”

    From Perspectives of fluorescence spectroscopy for online monitoring in microalgae industry (2022) · cites this paper as Janssen et al., 2019

    The Introduction (page unavailable) identifies EPA as an omega-3 fatty acid produced by microalgae and says higher EPA levels are needed to make production competitive. This supports the desirability of EPA-rich biomass, but our copy does not connect that preference specifically to feed or food supplements or discuss DHA as a desired component. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Under stress growing conditions, some microalgae such as Nannochloropsis species can accumulate up to 45% of their dry weight in triacylglycerol.

    “However, under stress growing conditions, some microalgae, like Nannochloropsis species, can accumulate up to 45% of their dry weight in triacylglycerol (TAG) (Fig. 5) (Ma et al., 2016; Janssen et al., 2019).”

    From Perspectives of fluorescence spectroscopy for online monitoring in microalgae industry (2022) · cites this paper as Janssen et al., 2019

    The Introduction says Nannochloropsis gaditana accumulates TAG under nitrogen starvation. But section 2.2 (TAG Content; page unavailable) reports a highest measured content of 0.39 g TAG per g dry weight (39%), not 45%, so the cited paper does not support the claimed figure. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Nitrogen starvation increases EPA and triacyl glycerol (TAG) production in N. gaditana cultivated for 14 days.

    “Nitrogen starvation increased EPA and Triacyl glycerol (TAG) production in N. gaditana cultivated for 14 days (Janssen et al. 2019).”

    From Production of microalgae with high lipid content and their potential as sources of nutraceuticals (2023) · cites this paper as Janssen et al. 2019

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Research works printed but not linked: 20

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Janssen, J. H., Wijffels, R. H., & Barbosa, M. J.
Affiliations
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
  • Nord University (NO)
  • Bioprocess Engineering, AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Corresponding author
Janssen, Jorijn H.
ORCID
Venue
Biology
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2019-01-08
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
5
ISSN
2079-7737 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/biology8010005
PMC
PMC6466408
OpenAlex
W2910587152
Cited by
45
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 1
FWCI
1.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Biology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Seventh Framework Programme (613588)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
Keywords
Nannochloropsis gaditana, nitrogen starvation, triglyceride accumulation, eicosapentaenoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, light intensity, fatty acid translocation, microalgal lipid production, nitrogen recovery

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