Iranian South Medical Journal (May 2016)
Fatty acid composition of Spirulina sp., Chlorella sp. and Chaetoceros sp. microalgae and introduction as potential new sources to extinct omega 3 and omega 6
Abstract
Background: This study was carried out to determine the oil fatty acids from two special species of microalgae; Spirulina sp.,Chlorella sp. and also Chaetoceros sp. collected from Bahmanshir River. Materials and Methods: Sampling of microalgae Chaetoceros sp. from Bahmanshir River was under taken using bottle samplers during spring season of 2013. Microalgae Spirulina sp. and Chlorella sp. were supplied from Shrimp Research Institute of Iran in Bushehr Province. Samples then were cultured under controlled laboratory conditions and mass culture for 100 liters was undertaken. Isolation of microalgae species from water of cultured media was carried out using filtration and centrifugation methods. The fatty acid compositions were determined by Gas – FID chromatography. Results: Results showed that regarding Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) obtained from purified culture of Chaetoceros sp., Spirulina sp. and Chlorella sp. the maximum amount of total fatty acids were belonged to palmitic acids (C16:0) with 15.21%, 30.1% and 25.17% of total fatty acids respectively. Analysis of Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) showed that in the Oleic acid was maximum amount of 34% in Spirulina sp. In addition the amount of MUFA in Chlorella sp. was 16.37% of total fatty acids. On the other hand the amount of palmeotic acid in purified culture of Chaetoceros sp. was 30.33% from total content of fatty acids. Analysis of Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA), Linoleic acid (C18:2) (Omega 6), revealed maximum percentage in Spirulina sp. with 18.8%. Results of Alpha linoleic acid (C18:3) (Omega3) analysis showed maximum amount of 9.66% in Chlorella sp. compared to other microalgae with lower omega 3 contents. Spirulina sp. contained maximum amount of Linoleic acid (C18:2) with 18.8% of total fatty acids. Therefore, Spirulina sp. can be considered as a rich source of omega 6 for the purpose of fatty acid extractions. The presence of PUFA in Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp. was equivalent whereas the amount of Omega 3 in Chlorella sp. was higher than two other species. Conclusion: Results of this study revealed a diverse profile of fatty acids among many species of phytoplanktons and microalgae. There Chlorella sp. with a good candidate and a rich source of Omega 3 future applications. It is indicated that different species have totally different fatty acid profiles. Therefore, to acquire special products for a particular target, selection of specific species is essential.
