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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Algal biotechnology for pursuing omega-3 fatty acid (bioactive) production

Munish Puri
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development (CMBD), Medical Biotechnology, Flinders Medical Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia

B Bioprocessing Laboratory, Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Vic. 3217, Australia

C Email: Munish.puri@flinders.edu.au; Munish.puri@deakin.edu.au

Microbiology Australia 38(2) 85-88 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA17036
Published: 26 April 2017

Abstract

Algae are spread in diversified ecosystems that include marine, freshwater, desert and hot springs and even snow and ice environments. Algae are classified as multicellular large sea weeds (macroalgae) or unicellular microalgae. Macroalgae are targeted for mining of natural biologically active components, which include proteins, linear peptides, cyclic peptides, and amino acids1. Recently, microalgae have been exploited for the production of high-value compounds such as lipids (omega-3 fatty acids), enzymes, polymers, toxins, antioxidants, and pigments (carotenoids)2. Thus, algal biotechnology is defined as ‘the technology developed using algae (macro or micro) to make or modify bioactive compounds, or products (nutritional supplements, fine chemicals) and renewable fuels for specific use’.


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