Integrated Process for Schizochytrium Oil Extraction, Enzymatic Modification of Lipids and Concentration of DHA Fatty Acid Esters Using Alternative Methodologies

Marine microalgae Schizochytrium sp. have a high content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is attracting interest since it prevents certain neurodegenerative diseases. The obtention of a bioactive and purified DHA fatty acid ester using a whole-integrated process in which ren...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Drugs
Main Authors: Gonzalo Berzal, Paz García-García, Francisco Javier Señoráns
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024
Subjects:
microalgae
Schizochytrium sp
DHA
Novozym ® 435
pressurized liquid extraction
enzymatic ethanolysis
Biology (General)
QH301-705.5
Antarc*
Antarctica
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3390/md22040146
https://doaj.org/article/0f2809a8200e479ea919a3a5705a93a2
Description
Summary:Marine microalgae Schizochytrium sp. have a high content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is attracting interest since it prevents certain neurodegenerative diseases. The obtention of a bioactive and purified DHA fatty acid ester using a whole-integrated process in which renewable sources and alternative methodologies are employed is the aim of this study. For this reason, lyophilized Schizochytrium biomass was used as an alternative to fish oil, and advanced extraction techniques as well as enzymatic modification were studied. Microalgal oil extraction was optimized via a surface-response method using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) obtaining high oil yields (29.06 ± 0.12%) with a high concentration of DHA (51.15 ± 0.72%). Then, the enzymatic modification of Schizochytrium oil was developed by ethanolysis using immobilized Candida antarctica B lipase (Novozym ® 435) at two reaction temperatures and different enzymatic loads. The best condition (40 °C and 200 mg of lipase) produced the highest yield of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) (100%) after 8 h of a reaction attaining a cost-effective and alternative process. Finally, an enriched and purified fraction containing DHA-FAEE was obtained using open-column chromatography with a remarkably high concentration of 93.2 ± 1.3% DHA. The purified and bioactive molecules obtained in this study can be used as nutraceutical and active pharmaceutical intermediates of marine origin.

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