Plant and algal lipidomes: Analysis, composition, and their societal significance

Plants and algae play a crucial role in the earth's ecosystems. Through photosynthesis they convert light energy into chemical energy, capture CO2 and produce oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds. Photosynthetic organisms are primary producers and synthesize the essential omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. They have also unique and highly diverse complex lipids, such as glycolipids, phospholipids, triglycerides, sphingolipids and phytosterols, with nutritional and health benefits. Plant and algal lipids are useful in food, feed, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries but also for green chemistry and bioenergy. The analysis of plant and algal lipidomes represents a significant challenge due to the intricate and diverse nature of their composition, as well as their plasticity under changing environmental conditions. Optimization of analytical tools is crucial for an in-depth exploration of the lipidome of plants and algae. This review highlights how lipidomics analytical tools can be used to establish a complete mapping of plant and algal lipidomes. Acquiring this knowledge will pave the way for the use of plants and algae as sources of tailored lipids for both industrial and environmental applications. This aligns with the main challenges for society, upholding the natural resources of our planet and respecting their limits.