ABSTRACT
VLC-PUFA of the ω3 family are abundant in microalgae. For example, Porphyridium cruentum (7), Nannochloropsis sp. (8,9), Phaeodactylum tricornutum (10,11), and Monodus subterraneus (12) were studied for their potential to produce eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3). Likewise, Crypthecodinium cohnii (13), and Chroomonas salina (14) contain DHA. However, very long chain-n-6 PUFA are relatively rare, and high contents of 20:3ω6 are not found in any organism unless it has undergone genetic manipulation (see chapter 2). AA is almost nonexistent in the lipids of fresh water algae, and in most marine species it does not account for more than a few percent of total fatty acids (TFA) [Table 4.1 (15)].
