Effect of Nitrogen Concentration on [omega]-polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Profile of scenedesmus Incrassatulus

• Published in: Journal of the American Dietetic Association Vol. 111; no. 9; p. A_75
• Main Authors: López-Lizárraga, G L, Flores-Ortiz, C M, Cañizares-Villanueva, R O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago Elsevier Limited 01.09.2011
• Subjects: Algae; Fatty acids; Health; Nitrogen
• ISSN: 2212-2672

An abstract of a study by Flores-Ortiz et al evaluating the effect of nitrogen (N) concentration on the ω-fatty acid profile by the freshwater microalga Scenedesmus incrassatulus, at three N concentrations is presented. The photobioreactors were 2 L split-cylinders internal-loop air-lift, aeration rate 0.5 mL^sub air^/(mL^sub media^min), photon flux 150 μmol^sup 2^s, temperature 25±2 °C. At 25, 50 and 100 mg^sub N^/L the total ω-3 plus ω-6 PUFAs specific content were 7.6, 7.02 and 15.4 mg/g^sub biomass^, respectively, stearidonic acid (l8:4ω3) content was 0.95, 1.27 and 2.83 mg/g^sub biomass^ linoleic acid (18:2ω6) values were 6.07, 6.33 and 11.51 mg/g^sub biomass^ respectively; however, γ-Linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3ω6) was only detected at 100 mg^sub N^/L with 1.06 mg/g^sub biomass^. These values are similar and even superior to those obtained by some freshwater and marine microalgae previously reported. They conclude that the 100 mg^sub N^/L treatment promoted more ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAS accumulation.