Microalgae are responsible for the production of a range of lipids, with contents varying from 1% to 70% of dry weight, and reaching up to 90% (Metting, 1996, Spolaore et al., 2006). However, the most significant contribution to the overall microalgal market by algae is their ability to synthesize PUFAs (polyunsatu­rated fatty acids). Potential applications of various microalgal PUFAs are given in Table 10.6.

The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are of particular interest as they cannot be efficiently synthesized by humans, and instead must be consumed in their diet (Simopoulos, 1999). Over the years and even today, omega-3 EPA and DHA are regarded as common constituents of fish oil. Table 10.6 presents microalgal producers of interesting PUFAs, and presently DHA is the only algal PUFA that is commercially available (Spolaore et al., 2006).

TABLE 10.6

Essential Microalgal PUFAs

Potential Application Microalgal Producer

Infant formula Arthrospira

(full-term infants) (Spirulina) sp.

Nutraceuticals