The two most significant essential fatty acids found in considerable levels in meat and coldwater fish are the omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (see Table 10.7). New evidence suggests beneficial effects of omega-3 on diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), inflammatory disease, and brain function. Recent studies have also shown the positive impact of omega-3 in curing mental health disorders (Simopoulos, 1999; Arterburn et al., 2000; Nemets et al., 2002; Kris-Etherton et al., 2003, Wen and Chen, 2003; Ruxton et al., 2004; Freeman et al., 2006; Von Schacky and Harris, 2007; Mischoulon et al., 2008; The Ocean Nutrition Canada website, 2010). Aside from human health, omega-3 has significant advantages for growth and development (Ruxton et al., 2004). As a result, more than 14,000 studies have been conducted over the past 35 years, promoting the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the human diet at every stage of life (The Ocean Nutrition Canada website, 2010).

Currently, algal EPA and DHA are the only alternative to fish oils. Apart from being a complete vegetarian alternative, microalgae are considered sustainable feed­stocks for the production of EPA and DHA compared to other sources such as sar­dines, krill, and genetically engineered oilseed crops. Consumers are well aware of the choices they make, and they prefer an omega-3 source that is “naturally bio­diverse and not genetically engineered” (Watson, 2011a). In general, algal cultures are pure and eliminate concerns about high levels of toxins, pollutants, and heavy metals. Algal oils have a high unsaturation index and with the aid of novel process­ing techniques to improve stabilization by reducing oxidation potential, algal oils provide fish-free odor and taste. New and improved technologies, such as microen­capsulation, allow these oils to be employed in a broader food and beverage applica­tion profile for both vegetarians and nonvegetarians (Pulz and Gross, 2004; Ward and Singh, 2005; Whelan and Rust, 2006). Unlike the highly competitive marine

TABLE 10.7

Life Stage Benefits of Omega-3 EPA and DHA)

Source: Adapted from Life stages benefits (2011), Ward and Singh (2005), Holub (2011).

fish oil market, the vegetarian omega-3 EPA and DHA source remains moderately competitive, with the dominant sources of omega-3 being algal and flaxseed oil. DHA market estimations alone are valued at US$15 million, and are considered one of the fast-growing microalgal products.

Martek Biosciences has been the dominant player in sustainable algal omega-3 technology and, as a result, this platform has given rise to products such as algae-derived omega-3 DHA in infant formula, dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages, as well as animal feed products. Martek Biosciences was recently (December 21, 2010) acquired by DSM (a global life sciences and material sciences company). The company’s “flagship” product is life’s DHA™, a completely vegetarian source of algal DHA. Martek’s omega-3 technologies are secured by a robust intellectual property portfolio and supported by a strong R&D platform, with particular emphasis on the infant formula and infant nutrition area. This provides new opportunities for DSM in the infant nutrition segment, as well as in the food, beverage, and dietary supplement industries. Formulas incorporating Martek’s DHA oil are available in more than sixty countries, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, China, the United States, and Canada (Spolaore et al., 2006).