Abstract
Microalgae present a huge and still insufficiently tapped resource of very long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFA) for human nutrition and medicinal applications. This chapter describes the diversity of unicellular eukaryotic microalgae in respect to VLC-PUFA biosynthesis. Then, we outline the major biosynthetic pathways mediating the formation of VLC-PUFA by sequential desaturation and elongation of C18-PUFA acyl groups. We address the aspects of spatial localization of those pathways and elaborate on the role for VLC-PUFA in microalgal cells. Recent progress in microalgal genetic transformation and molecular engineering has opened the way to increased production efficiencies for VLC-PUFA. The perspectives of photobiotechnology and metabolic engineering of microalgae for altered or enhanced VLC-PUFA production are also discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 471-510 |
Number of pages | 40 |
Journal | Sub-Cellular Biochemistry |
Volume | 86 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Mar 2016 |
Keywords
- Biotechnology
- Diversity
- Lipid metabolism
- Microalgae
- Omega-3 LC-PUFA
- Omega-6 LC-PUFA
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research