Valuing of fatty acids in algae with emphasis on marine dinoflagellates

Microalgae, including dinoflagella tes, can produce a variety of valuable b ioactive compounds with beneficial pharmac ological and biotechnological potential such a s lipids, fatty acids, pigments and other compounds in response to a variety of environmental stimuli. For this reason, dinoflagellates have attracted the attention of many biotechnolog ists and biochemists. Among the different types of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) are essential components in higher eukaryotes (1). From the fatty acids, which are e xtracted of dinoflagellates, can be specified the EPA, which is used to treat atherosclerosis, schizophrenia, and some cancers ( 2). Reports suggest that EPA, such as omega-3, can decrease rheumatoid arthritis (3). I n addition, it has been well-established that E PA and DHA are the protecting components in the heart health (4). They are also effectiv e in the lowering the blood level of triglycer ides (5), the improving large artery dilation in patients with high cholesterol levels (6), and they possess antithrombotic effect (7). Since animals have a limited ability to synthesize linoleic acid and alpha linoleic acid (PUFAs), th ey must acquire them via dietary sources (8). Marine algae, including dinoflagellates, synth esize the high amounts of the linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, as well as their main derivativ es, such as arachidonic acid,EPA and DHA . These fatty acids are the essential constituents of heterotrophic organisms (9). Henc e, recently, the producing of Omega-3 (PU FAs) by microorganisms with oily propertie s, including dinoflagellate species, has attract ed much attention in the use of their oil (10). Therefore, dinoflagellates can be used as PU FA rich sources under laboratory controlled c onditions to extract these compounds.

Microalgae, including dinoflagella tes, can produce a variety of valuable b ioactive compounds with beneficial pharmac ological and biotechnological potential such a s lipids, fatty acids, pigments and other compounds in response to a variety of environmental stimuli. For this reason, dinoflagellates have attracted the attention of many biotechnolog ists and biochemists. Among the different types of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) are essential components in higher eukaryotes (1). From the fatty acids, which are e xtracted of dinoflagellates, can be specified the EPA, which is used to treat atherosclerosis, schizophrenia, and some cancers ( 2). Reports suggest that EPA, such as omega-3, can decrease rheumatoid arthritis (3). I n addition, it has been well-established that E PA and DHA are the protecting components in the heart health (4). They are also effectiv e in the lowering the blood level of triglycer ides (5), the improving large artery dilation in patients with high cholesterol levels (6), and they possess antithrombotic effect (7). Since animals have a limited ability to synthesize linoleic acid and alpha linoleic acid (PUFAs), th ey must acquire them via dietary sources (8). Marine algae, including dinoflagellates, synth esize the high amounts of the linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, as well as their main derivativ es, such as arachidonic acid,EPA and DHA . These fatty acids are the essential constituents of heterotrophic organisms (9). Henc e, recently, the producing of Omega-3 (PU FAs) by microorganisms with oily propertie s, including dinoflagellate species, has attract ed much attention in the use of their oil (10). Therefore, dinoflagellates can be used as PU FA rich sources under laboratory controlled c onditions to extract these compounds.