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Microalgae and Thraustochytrids are Sustainable Sources of Vegan EPA and DHA with Commercial Feasibility

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Abstract

Vegan diets preclude the availability of some of the essential fatty acids supplied by foods of animal origin. Significantly, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are long-chain (LC)-omega − 3 (n − 3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), widely known for preventing a variety of metabolic diseases. In addition to vegan-food supplements, there is increasing demand for infant foods and health foods from dietary sources of EPA and DHA from plant origin. Their demands are being met industrially by utilizing thraustochytrids (marine protists) and microalgae-based platforms. The importance of these organisms is highlighted for the sustainable production of biotechnologically derived specialty lipids for human health.

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Acknowledgements

This paper was supported by the KU research professor program of Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Korea

    Ramesh Kumar Saini & Young‐Soo Keum

  2. C. D. Sagar Centre for Life Sciences, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Dayananda Sagar Institutions, Bangalore, 560111, India

    Gokare Aswathanarayana Ravishankar

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  1. Ramesh Kumar Saini
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Correspondence to Ramesh Kumar Saini.

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Saini, R.K., Ravishankar, G.A. & Keum, Y. Microalgae and Thraustochytrids are Sustainable Sources of Vegan EPA and DHA with Commercial Feasibility. Indian J Microbiol 63, 155–158 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-023-01059-8

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