Stability of Omega-3 LC-PUFA-rich Photoautotrophic Microalgal Oils Compared to Commercially Available Omega-3 LC-PUFA Oils

Abstract

Microalgae are the primary producers of omega-3 LC-PUFA, which are known for their health benefits. Their oil may thus be a potential alternative for fish oil. However, oxidative and hydrolytic stability of omega-3 LC-PUFA oils are important parameters. The purpose of this work was therefore to evaluate these parameters in oils from photoautotrophic microalgae (Isochrysis, Phaeodactylum, Nannochloropsis gaditana, and Nannochloropsis sp.) obtained with hexane/isopropanol (HI) and hexane (H) and compare them with commercial omega-3 LC-PUFA oils. When the results of both the primary and secondary oxidation parameters were put together, it was clear that fish, tuna, and heterotrophic microalgae oil are the least oxidatively stable oils, whereas krill oil and the microalgae oils performed better. The microalgal HI oils were shown to be more oxidatively stable than the microalgal H oils. The hydrolytic stability was shown not to be a problem during the storage of any of the oils.

Microalgal Oil Supplementation Has an Anti-Obesity Effect in C57BL/6J Mice Fed a High Fat Diet

“…Several species of microalgae can be stimulated for overproduction of a specific fatty acid, including EPA or DHA, through relative simple manipulations of their culture medium (13). Moreover, microalgal oil has better oxidative stability than fish oil (14) and thus some of the problems of fish oil can be avoided.…”

Stability of Valuable Components during Wet and Dry Storage

“…Morist et al (2001) detected no significant differences in the fatty acid profile of Spirulina platensis after spray drying. Ryckebosch et al (2013) observed a different impact of lipolysis and oxidation during storage of oil extracted from Isochrysis, Nannochloropsis gaditana, and Phaeodactylum. This may be linked to the temperature dependence of the oxidation mechanism, as spray drying causes higher heat exposure than freeze-drying.…”

“…In addition, long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (u-3 LC-PUFA) are found in microalgae, representing the only plant source of these nutritionally interesting lipids. Microalgae and other alternative sources of u-3 LC-PUFA are thus necessary (Ryckebosch et al, 2012). These fatty acids protect against cardiovascular diseases (Breslow, 2006), can have beneficial effects against inflammations (Calder, 2011(Calder, , 2013, and can have positive effects against dementia and depression (Nemets et al, 2001;Freund-Levi et al, 2008;Sublette et al, 2011).…”

“…A second important group of valuable components in microalgae are the antioxidants, which protect microalgae against photooxidative damage during photosynthesis (Stahl and Sies, 2003;Goiris et al, 2012). Especially autotrophic microalgae, which are exposed to light, contain important amounts of antioxidants (Duval et al, 2000;Kov acik et al, 2010).…”

“…Especially autotrophic microalgae, which are exposed to light, contain important amounts of antioxidants (Duval et al, 2000;Kov acik et al, 2010). The extensive amount of antioxidants in autotrophic microalgae can improve the stability of the lipids in the microalgae and in the extracted oil (Ryckebosch et al, 2013). However, some of these antioxidants are quite thermolabile, and care must thus be taken to minimize losses of antioxidants during processing.…”