title: Towards sustainable sources for omega-3 fatty acids production.
abstract: Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic acid (DHA), provide significant health benefits for brain function/development and cardiovascular conditions. However, most EPA and DHA for human consumption is sourced from small fatty fish caught in coastal waters and, with depleting global fish stocks, recent research has been directed towards more sustainable sources. These include aquaculture with plant-based feeds, krill, marine microalgae, microalgae-like protists and genetically-modified plants. To meet the increasing demand for EPA and DHA, further developments are needed towards land-based sources. In particular large-scale cultivation of microalgae and plants is likely to become a reality with expected reductions in production costs, yield increasese and the adequate addressing of genetically modified food acceptance issues.
authors.affiliation: Algae Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: T Catalina
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Adarme-Vega
authors.affiliation: Algae Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Skye R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Thomas-Hall
authors.affiliation: Algae Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. Electronic address: p.schenk@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peer M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schenk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000600:supply & distribution; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000600:supply & distribution; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000600:supply & distribution; D033201:Euphausiacea / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D055951:Functional Food / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid