Abstract
Relative polyunsaturated fatty acid content and unsaturation index are very important composition variables in the use of
microalgae both for animal and human nutrition and biofuel production. A readily available technique to rapidly and inexpensively
estimate relative fatty acid composition is very important for mass screening of new strains for the production of different
types of oil. This study demonstrates the validity of Nile Red staining and flow cytometry for quick estimation of unsaturation
index and relative fatty acid content in microalgae. Nile Red staining allows polar and neutral lipid contents to be estimated,
and in this study a significant correlation was observed between polar/neutral ratio and fatty acid content in the species
studied, corresponding to higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the polar lipid fraction of microalgae. This technique
enables quick estimation of relative polyunsaturated fatty acid content and interspecific variation, as well as variations
caused by culture conditions. In the species studied, most variability in fatty acid composition was due to variation in monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with less variation observed in saturated fatty acid content.
microalgae both for animal and human nutrition and biofuel production. A readily available technique to rapidly and inexpensively
estimate relative fatty acid composition is very important for mass screening of new strains for the production of different
types of oil. This study demonstrates the validity of Nile Red staining and flow cytometry for quick estimation of unsaturation
index and relative fatty acid content in microalgae. Nile Red staining allows polar and neutral lipid contents to be estimated,
and in this study a significant correlation was observed between polar/neutral ratio and fatty acid content in the species
studied, corresponding to higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the polar lipid fraction of microalgae. This technique
enables quick estimation of relative polyunsaturated fatty acid content and interspecific variation, as well as variations
caused by culture conditions. In the species studied, most variability in fatty acid composition was due to variation in monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with less variation observed in saturated fatty acid content.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9526-6
- Authors
- Héctor Mendoza Guzmán, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias Department of Biotechnology Pozo Izquierdo s/n (35119) Santa Lucía de Tirajana Las Palmas Spain
- Adelina de la Jara Valido, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias Department of Biotechnology Pozo Izquierdo s/n (35119) Santa Lucía de Tirajana Las Palmas Spain
- Laura Carmona Duarte, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias Department of Biotechnology Pozo Izquierdo s/n (35119) Santa Lucía de Tirajana Las Palmas Spain
- Karen Freijanes Presmanes, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias Department of Biotechnology Pozo Izquierdo s/n (35119) Santa Lucía de Tirajana Las Palmas Spain
- Journal Journal of Applied Phycology
- Online ISSN 1573-5176
- Print ISSN 0921-8971
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