title: Production of long chain omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids in tropical areas by a new heat-tolerant microalga Tetraselmis sp. DS3.
abstract: Demand for long chain ω-3 fatty acids from non-fish source for vegetarians has increased recently. Marine microalgae are the primary producers of EPA/DHA and promising alternatives for fish oil. Tropical areas have abundant sunlight throughout the year for microalgal cultivation but this practice can be hindered by high temperature. Discovery of heat-tolerant marine microalgae that can synthesize EPA/DHA will solve these problems. A new species of microalga was isolated from a high temperature lagoon and identified as Tetraselmis sp. DS3. These cells could grow at 40 °C, the highest temperature for marine microalgal growth ever reported. Its ω-3 fatty acids and EPA accounted for 33 and 10% of total lipids, respectively, grown in nitrogen-depleted conditions. These cells also accumulated more than 5% β-carotene and 0.48% lutein in biomass. This new microalga can be cultivated for long chain ω-3 fatty acids and lutein production in the tropical areas.
authors: Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan.
authors: Hsin-Pei
authors: HP
authors: Tsai
authors: Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
authors: Lu-Te
authors: LT
authors: Chuang
authors: Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan. Electronic address: nathanc@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
authors: Ching-Nen Nathan
authors: CN
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D014975:Lutein / Q000096:biosynthesis; D058086:Microalgae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014329:Tropical Climate; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D014975:Lutein
keywords: Carotenoids; Heat tolerance; Microalgae; Omega-3 fatty acids; Tetraselmis