Effect of culture temperature on fatty acid composition of diatom Cylindrotheca closterium.

ALMEYDA DELFINA; PAOLA SCODELARO BILBAO; DIANA CONSTENLA; CECILIA POPOVICH; LEONARDI, PATRICIA

Paraná

Congreso; 54th Annual Meeting Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 2018

SAIB

Fish oil iswidely used as a source of essential long chain poly-unsaturated omega-3 fattyacids, such eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), for aquaculture.However, there is increasing interest in reducing the aquaculture industry?sdependence on this resource due to its unsustainability and variable cost andsupply. Marine microalgae naturally produce EPA and DHA fatty acids and theircontent can be modified by manipulation of the growth conditions. The aim ofthis study was to assess the effect of culture temperature on fatty acidcomposition of the marine diatom Cylindrothecaclosterium. To this end, C.closterium was grown in a photobioreactor: a) at 20 °C (control) and b)lowering the temperature from 20°C to 11°C in the stationary growth phase.Total lipid content and lipid fractions were determined spectrophotometricallyand gravimetrically. Gas chromatography was performed to analyze fatty acidcomposition. C. closterium growth was not affected by temperature variation, asshowed by cell density and dry weight determinations. When the temperature waslowered, triacylglyceride content significantly increased compared to thecontrol condition. In addition, among omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA showed amarked increase. Thus, these results evidence the potential of this strain asan alternative and sustainable source for aquaculture purposes.