Haematococcus pluvialis as a source of fatty acids and phytosterols: potential nutritional and biological implications

SCODELARO BILBAO PAOLA; DAMIANI, MARIA CECILIA; SALVADOR GABRIELA; LEONARDI PATRICIA INES

JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2016 vol. 28 p. 3283 - 3294

0921-8971

The main aim of this work was to describe the effect of light-induced stress on bioactive lipid accumulation in H. pluvialis CCALA 1081. To this end, the strain was grown under control-light conditions or high light-induced stress for 3, 6 and 12 days. The lipid profile was then analyzed in order to determine triacylglyceride (TAG) and phytosterol content, the fatty acid profile of TAGs and the composition of the sterol fraction. After 3 days of light-induced stress, the content of both bioactive lipids significantly increased compared to controls. Palmitic, linoleic and α linolenic fatty acid content was higher whereas caproic acid content diminished in H. pluvialis under stress. High light irradiance also reduced β-sitosterol content whereas chlerosterol, brassicasterol and Δ7-campesterol content was higher in the phytosterol fraction. No significant levels of lipid peroxidation were detected after 3 days of light-induced stress. The radical scavenging capacity and biological activity of the sterol fraction isolated from H. pluvialis were subsequently determined. H. pluvialis phytosterols displayed antioxidant capacity and also a cytotoxic effect associated with the induction of apoptosis in human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Our results show that high light stress induced the accumulation of commercially valuable compounds in H. pluvialis that are of potential benefit to human health.Keywords: Haematococcus pluvialis; triacylglycerides; phytosterols; biological activity.