Preparation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) concentrate from Porphyridium cruentum

The polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has attracted increased attention due to its pharmaceutical properties. The main source is marine fish oil which contains approximately 15% EPA. However, pharmaceutical applications of EPA will probably require higher concentrations, perhaps as high as 90%. The red microalga Porphyridium cruentum is a potential source, because its EPA content approaches 44.1% of the total fatty acids. Three methods were attempted for EPA concentration and arachidonic acid (AA) removal from the oil of this alga. Separation of the glycolipids, formation of a urea inclusion complex and reverse phase chromatography on C-18 Sep-Pak filters resulted in an EPA concentrate of 97% purity. Similar methods resulted in an AA concentrate of 80% purity.