Microalgae: A Potential Source of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Selected fish oils are the main industrial sources of PUFAs. However, this oil may be insufficient in the future to meet the expected growth in world demand for n-3 fatty acids (Tacon, 1995). Refined oils produced by marine microalgae represent potential sources of supplemental dietary fatty acids. This study examines the lipid and fatty acid composition of three microalgae that were isolated from the costal waters of Tunisia with particular interest on the variability of composition related to the cellular growth stage.