Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139,
Mar Drugs. 2013 Jun 27;11(7):2259-81. doi: 10.3390/md11072259.
The main source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in human nutrition is currently seafood, especially oily fish. Nonetheless, due to cultural or individual preferences, convenience, geographic location, or awareness of risks associated to fatty fish consumption, the intake of fatty fish is far from supplying the recommended dietary levels. The end result observed in most western countries is not only a low supply of n-3 LC-PUFA, but also an unbalance towards the intake of n-6 fatty acids, resulting mostly from the consumption of vegetable oils. Awareness of the benefits of LC-PUFA in human health has led to the use of fish oils as food supplements. However, there is a need to explore alternatives sources of LC-PUFA, especially those of microbial origin. Microalgae species with potential to accumulate lipids in high amounts and to present elevated levels of n-3 LC-PUFA are known in marine phytoplankton. This review focuses on sources of n-3 LC-PUFA, namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, in marine microalgae, as alternatives to fish oils. Based on current literature, examples of marketed products and potentially new species for commercial exploitation are presented.
目前，人类营养中 n-3 长链多不饱和脂肪酸（LC-PUFA）的主要来源是海鲜，尤其是油性鱼类。尽管如此，由于文化或个人偏好、便利性、地理位置或对食用高脂肪鱼类相关风险的认识，高脂肪鱼类的摄入量远未达到推荐的饮食水平。在大多数西方国家观察到的最终结果不仅是 n-3 LC-PUFA 的供应不足，而且还导致了 n-6 脂肪酸的摄入量不平衡，这主要是由于植物油的消费。人们意识到 LC-PUFA 对人类健康的益处，因此将鱼油用作膳食补充剂。然而，有必要探索 LC-PUFA 的替代来源，特别是那些微生物来源的替代来源。海洋浮游植物中已知有一些具有积累大量脂肪和高含量 n-3 LC-PUFA 的潜力的微藻物种。本综述重点介绍了海洋微藻中 n-3 LC-PUFA 的来源，即二十碳五烯酸和二十二碳六烯酸，作为鱼油的替代品。根据当前的文献，介绍了一些已上市的产品和具有商业开发潜力的新物种。
