Twelve algal strains representing the classes Cyanophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Rhodophyceae, Cryptophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Xantophyceae and Eustigmatophyceae were selected mainly from the culture collection of the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA). The algae were grown as continuous cultures in a 1.8 l. reactor, internally illuminated with an 11 W fluorescent tube. The retention time was adjusted in the range 2-4 days to fit the growth rate of the algae. The growth responses and fatty acid composition were analysed. The maximum production rate was obtained with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (0.63 g 1 -1 day -1 ) and the lowest with Porphyridium cruentum 0.13 g 1 -1 day -1 . Arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were the dominating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in P. cruentum, while only EPA accumulated in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was the major PUFA in Isochrysis galbana, while Pavlova sp. had both EPA and DHA. This is the first report on the fatty acid profiles of Nannochloropsis oceanica, Chroococcus sp., Synechococcus sp. and Tribonema sp.

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Intake of fish oil reduces the risk of CHD and CHD deaths. Marine n-3 fatty acids (FA) are susceptible to oxidation, but to our knowledge, the health effects of intake of oxidised fish oil have not previously been investigated in human subjects. The aim of the present study was to investigate markers of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and inflammation, and the level of plasma n-3 FA after intake of oxidised fish oil. In a double-blinded randomised controlled study, healthy subjects (aged 18-50 years, n 54) were assigned into one of three groups receiving capsules containing either 8 g/d of fish oil (1·6 g/d EPA þ DHA; n 17), 8 g/d of oxidised fish oil (1·6 g/d EPA þ DHA; n 18) or 8 g/d of high-oleic sunflower oil (n 19). Fasting blood and morning spot urine samples were collected at weeks 0, 3 and 7. No significant changes between the different groups were observed with regard to urinary 8-iso-PGF 2a ; plasma levels of 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and a-tocopherol; serum high sensitive C-reactive protein; or activity of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes. A significant increase in plasma level of EPA þ DHA was observed in both fish oil groups, but no significant difference was observed between the fish oil groups. No changes in a variety of in vivo markers of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation or inflammation were observed after daily intake of oxidised fish oil for 3 or 7 weeks, indicating that intake of oxidised fish oil may not have unfavourable short-term effects in healthy human subjects.

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