research - biotechnology
Microalgae are a largely untapped reservoir of novel and valuable
bioactive compounds. Current research includes investigating the
production of fatty acids, pigments, vitamins and other bioactive
compounds by microalgae. Industry applications include nutraceuticals,
pharmaceuticals, aquaculture and agricultural applications.
Growth and biomass
Microalgae are grown using different culture systems to optimise
growth and production of biomass and bioactive molecules. This is
essential for applications in aquaculture and biotechnology. As
part of a collaboration with University of Florence, photobioreactor
technology is used to grow microalgae including novel strains.
Applications:
Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
Nutraceuticals: Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6(n-3)] and eicosapentaeneoic
acid [EPA, 20:5(n-3)] are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids
(PUFA) in the human diet. These PUFA may reduce the risk of coronary
heart disease and alleviate inflammatory diseases. Some microalgae
and thraustochytrids are a rich source of these PUFA.
Pharmaceutical leads: DHA and other novel bioactive PUFA can be
chemically modified by adding or changing functional groups within
different regions in the molecule (combinatorial chemistry) in order
to enhance/change the bioactivity and hence lead to the synthesis
of new pharmaceuticals. Other unusual fatty acids are likely to
be bioactive.
Aquaculture: Microalgae are used as essential live feeds and supplements
in the aquaculture of larval and juvenile animals including oyster
spat, juvenile abalone, finfish larvae and rotifer.
Other applications: Antimicrobials, antifungals, agrochemicals
and cosmetics
Chemical screening of fatty acids and novel/unusual lipids:
Thin-layer chromotography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID)
of total lipid extracts is used to quantify lipid classes: polar
lipid, triglycerides, sterols, free fatty acids, steryl esters and
HBI.
Gas chromotography (GC) is used to quantify fatty acids, hydroxy
fatty acids, sterols and hydrocarbons. While gas chromotography-mass
spectrometry (GC-MS) is used for structural elucidation of PUFA
using electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (C) conditions
of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Location of double bond positions
is achieved by EI GC-MS of dimethyl oxazoline (DMOX).
Last updated
26/08/04
|
