Cited by 171Algal biology and biofuel productionFatty Acid Research and HealthLipid metabolism and biosynthesis

Algae: Critical Sources of Very Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

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Harwood, John·2019·Biomolecules

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are divided into n-3 and n-6 classes, are essential for good health in humans and many animals. They are metabolised to lipid mediators, such as eicosanoids, resolvins and protectins. Increasing interest has been paid to the 20 or 22 carbon very long chain PUFAs, since these compounds can be used to form lipid mediators and, thus, avoid inefficient formation of dietary plant PUFAs. The ultimate sources of very long chain PUFAs are algae, which are consumed by fish and then by humans. In this review, I describe the biosynthesis of very long chain PUFAs by algae and how this synthesis can be manipulated for commercial purposes. Ultimately, the production of algal oils is critical for ecosystems worldwide, as well as for human dietary lipids.

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  1. [1]Gurr M.I. Harwood J.L. Frayn K.N. Murphy D.J. Michell R.H. Lipids: Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Health 6th ed. Wiley/Blackwell Oxford, UK 2016
  2. [46]Gunstone F.D. Harwood J.L. Dijkstra A. The Lipid Handbook 3rd ed. CRC Press Boca Raton, FL, USA 2007
  3. [57]Ratledge C. Cohen Z. Single Cell Oils: Microbial and Algal Oils AOCS Press Urbana, IL, USA 2010
  4. [131]Santigosa E. Verlhac-Trichet V. Olsen R.E. Figuereido-Silva C.A. A microalgal oil containing EPA+DHA can be an effective source of omega-3 for Atlantic salmon post-smolts Proceedings of the 18th International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding (ISFNF) Las Palmas, Spain 3–7 June 2018 Abstract 3.20
  5. [132]Ruyter B. Sissener N.H. Ostbye T.-K. Simon C.J. Krasnov A. Bou M. Sanden M. Nichols P.D. Lutfi E. Berge G.M. Omega-3 Canola oil effectively replaces fish oil as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in feed for Atlantic salmon in freshwater and seawater Proceedings of the 18th International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding (ISFNF) Las Palmas, Spain 3–7 June 2018 Abstract 3.02

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Authors
Harwood, J.
Affiliations
Cardiff University (GB)
Corresponding author
Harwood, John
Venue
Biomolecules
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2019-11-06
Volume
9
Issue
11
Pages
708
ISSN
2218-273X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2988479009
Cited by
171
References
125
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 15
FWCI
0.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Biomolecules (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Natural Environment Research Council (N/A)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
Keywords
very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, algae, fatty acid synthesis, lipid mediators, eicosanoids, resolvins, protectins, algal oil, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, fish consumption, dietary fat
MeSH terms
Chlorophyta, Fatty Acids, Unsaturated, Plant Oils

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