Fatty acid composition of different structures in Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh from the sub-Antarctic Magellan Ecoregion: nutritional and biomedical potential

Abstract

The sub-Antarctic Magellan Ecoregion is a unique biogeographic area located in the southern end of South America with notable marine flora and high endemism. Brown macroalgae, particularly Macrocystis pyrifera, dominate the coastlines and are considered critical ecosystem engineers, providing shelter, food, and reproduction sites for various species. Additionally, they are essential components used in the food industry and biomedicine due to their lipids, amino acids, and fiber content. In this study, we determined the fatty acid content in different thallus structures (holdfast, stipes and fronds) of Macrocystis pyrifera collected in Rinconada Bulnes (53°35ʼ47.76” S; 70°56ʼ08.52” W) in the spring of 2021. The stipes had a highest total lipid content (3.73%) than the fronds (2.74%). The fatty acid profile showed higher values of monounsaturated fatty acids in the stipe (Ʃ 43.0%) and holdfast (Ʃ 41.7%), while fronds displayed higher values of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ʃ 32.4%). This study provides insights into the nutritional and biomedical potential of M. pyrifera and highlights the importance of understanding the distribution of fatty acids in different thallus structures.