Cohen, Z.
Abstract:
The rising pharmaceutical importance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has rekindled the interest in microalgae as a source for these PUFA. Recent research has shown great progress in pointing to new sources, understanding the role of environmental conditions on PUFA production and accummulation, elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways and down stream processing. The potential of several algal strain for production of gamma-linolenic acid (DLA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the pharmaceutical importance of these PUFA will be discussed.
(The Laboratory for Algal Biotechnology, J. Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University, Sede Boker 84990, Israel)
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