Evaluation of strains of microalgae for the production of lipids for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries

Abstract

Taking into account the recommendations by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) related to the consumption of essential fatty acids, it's important to investigate new sources of these lipids, such as microalgae, for the future increased demand. Microalgae are unicellular, eukaryote and photosynthetic organisms with great potential for the production of fatty acids but also of pigments, such as carotenes and chlorophyll, for the use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Photosynthetic microorganisms are capable to use light energy much more efficient than higher plants and they can also efficiently uptake carbon dioxide. The number of microbial strains currently employed in the biotechnological industry and the number of microbial products are limited, and Brazil, for its vast biodiversity, may contain in its environment, strains of microalgae with high potential for the production of useful fatty acids. More recently, several studies also focus on the use of microalgal lipids for the production of biodiesel. This project aims to investigate the potential of different strains of microalgae of the class Chlorophyceae for the production of useful fatty acids, particularly those long-chains polyunsaturated. In addition, a bioprospection of new strains of microalgae with potential for the production of fatty acids with commercial interests will be carried out in Sao Paulo State environments. (AU)