Stearidonic acid (18:4n‐3): Metabolism, nutritional importance, medical uses and natural sources

Abstract

Stearidonic acid (SA, 18:4n‐3) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) that constitutes the first metabolite of α‐linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n‐3) in the metabolic pathway leading to C20–22 PUFA, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3), which recently have received much attention because of their various physiological functions in the human body. Recently, several studies indicated that dietary SA increased EPA more efficiently than ALA. Thus, vegetable oils containing SA may become a dietary source of n‐3 fatty acids that is more effective in increasing tissue n‐3 PUFA concentrations than the current ALA‐containing vegetable oils. Nevertheless, few SA sources occur in nature, although there are still a large number of species untested to date. SA has been detected in variable amounts in several species of algae, fungi and animals tissues, but the seeds of some plant families seem to be better sources of SA, especially Echium (Boraginaceae) species. This work reviews the nutritional significance, medical uses and natural occurrence of SA.

Seasonal Composition of Lipids, Fatty Acids Pigments in the Brown Alga <i>Sargassum pallidum</i>: The Potential for Health

“…Recently, several studies indicated that dietary SA more efficiently, than ALA increases EPA. Vegetable oils that containing SA may become a dietary source of n-3 PUFAs that is more effective in increasing tissue n-3 PUFAs concentrations than the current ALA-containing vegetable oils [92]. However, S. pallidum is also rich in these PUFA.…”

Fatty acid composition of hempseed oils from different locations in Turkey

“…Hempseed oil is also one of the few botanical sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3n6) and stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4n3), which are of increasing pharmaceutical interest, making the nutritional value of hempseed superior to other seed oils (Leizer et al, 2000). Both GLA and SDA act as precursors for the rapid synthesis of longer chain fatty acids, such as eicosanoids, in the human body Guil-Guerrero, 2007).…”

Establishment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens -Mediated Transformation of an Oleaginous Fungus, Mortierella alpina 1S-4, and Its Application for Eicosapentaenoic Acid Producer Breeding

“…1). Furthermore, we attempted to produce other PUFAs synthesized in M. alpina 1S-4, since some fatty acids (e.g., 18:2n-9, 18:4n-3, and 20:4n-3) have limited natural sources and could have promising beneficial physiological effects (9). In particular, for microbial production of n-3 PUFAs, currently prepared from fish oil, it is necessary to achieve stable productivity and quality; however, mutation treatment caused low activity of the specific enzymes involved in PUFA biosynthesis, which is unsuitable for industrial application.…”