Production of Lipids Rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids from the Halotolerant Alga Dunaliella salina

• Published in: Biotechnology (Faisalābād, Pakistan) Pakistan), 2004-01, Vol.3 (1), p.102-108
• Main Authors: Abd El-Baky, HH, El Baz, FK, El-Baroty, G S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dunaliella salina
• ISSN: 1682-296X

The effect of nitrogen limitation and salt stress on total lipid and unsaponiflable contents as well as fatty acid composition of Dunaliella salina were studied. The contents of total lipids, unsaponifiables and fatty acid composition were basically depend on NaCI and nitrogen concentration in the culture. The highest yield of total lipids (37.69%) and unsaponifiables (29.02%) was obtained in cells grown at 16% NaCI combined with 2.5 mM nitrogen. While, minimum yield occurred in cells grown in a culture containing 8% NaCI and 5 mM N. Cells grown at 16% NaCI combined with 2.5 mM N produced relatively higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular C18:3w3 and C16:4w3. Increasing NaCI combined with decreasing N levels in the growth medium increased the total unsaturated fatty acids (TU) at the expense of total saturated fatty acids. At higher salinity, the total amounts of carotenoids and alpha -tocopherol in unsaponiflable fraction were significantly increased to reaching up to 12.03 and 4.10%. The results obtained suggest that D. salina cells containing high amount of total lipid, rich in w sub(3) polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant compounds in unsaponiflable lipid fraction may used as a supplemental ingredient or as a complete food to enhance the performance and state of the human body or improve a specific bodily function.