
Omega-3 fatty acids from algae oil

They are among the oldest forms of life on earth and are also known as "superfood" - algae. Microalgae in particular have been researched more and more in recent years because they are a special food supplement due to their abundance of nutrients and their broad spectrum of effects - and offer a vegan alternative to fish. Microalgae have been growing in the sea and freshwater lakes since time immemorial. The two algae spirulina and chlorella are particularly well-known. In earlier times, spirulina algae served as food for the indigenous people of South America and Africa. Today, like chlorella algae, it is advertised and sold worldwide as a food supplement. These algae container be taken as capsules, tablets or in powder form. Since 2003, an algae oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and some eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from the microalgae Schizochytrium sp. approved as Novel Food (see point “Novel Food”) [1] .
The microalga Schizochytrium sp.
The marine microalga Schizochytrium sp. is a genus of unicellular eukaryotes in the family Thraustochytriaceae that occurs in coastal marine habitats. They are classified as Stramenopiles (also called Heterokonta), a group that also includes algae and various other microalgae. The first scientific research results led to the classification of Thraustochytriaceae in the family Fungi due to their heterotrophic character (i.e. growth in the absence of light with absorption of nutrients) and their similarity to Chytridia (Sparrow, 1936) [2] Molecular biological analyses have recently shown that Thraustochytridia are not fungi, but are related to the Heterokonta algae (Cavalier-Smith, 1994) [3] .
The microalgae Schizochytrium sp. is able to naturally produce the essential omega-3 fatty acids DHA in larger quantities and EPA in smaller quantities. This microalgae survives without light and feeds on organic substances and plant remains such as dead leaves. This genus, which consists of microscopically small, single-celled algae, originally comes from the mangrove forests on tropical coasts. [4] .
Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids – also found in algae oil
The essential, i.e. vital omega-3 fatty acids have been a very important topic in nutritional science for many years. An exceptionally large number of studies have been carried out on the effect of the two best-known omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, on the body. These long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are components of every single cell in our body and are the precursors of anti-inflammatory messenger substances. As a result, they have a positive influence on many processes in our organism. However, our body containernot produce omega-3 fatty acids itself, so we should regularly consume them through our food. DHA and EPA are consumed almost exclusively in our normal diet through sea fish. Specialist societies such as the DGE (German Nutrition Society) recommend eating fish twice a week, including fatty cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna and sardines, which have significontainert levels of DHA and EPA. [5] Vegans are advised to take long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, e.g. from specially produced algae oil capsules, and round off their diet with them [6] In an interview with Professor Dr. Helmut Heseker, the former president of the DGE, he recommends supplementing with algae oil and other nutrients in which vegans have a higher risk of deficiency symptoms. [7] .
Algae oil – a vegan alternative to omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil
In addition to the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., which is approved for various foods and also for food supplements, the microalgae of the genus Ulkenia has also been permitted as a novel food for use in food since 2009, but not in food supplements. With their high proportion of omega-3 fatty acids, the microalgae form an important part of the food chain of marine fish and krill. For vegetarians and vegans who do not eat fish, the vegan omega-3 algae oil variant is a good alternative. It is also a very good option for allergy sufferers, because the algae oil is free of allergy-causing fish proteins. In addition to food supplements, the oil from the microalgae Schizochytrium sp. is also permitted as an ingredient in milk products, milk substitutes, spreads, salad dressings, breakfast cereals, diet foods and cooking fats. [8] .
topic of novel food
The Novel Food Regulation came into force on December 31, 2015. The term “novel food” covers novel foods. This refers to all foods that were not used or consumed for human consumption to any significontainert extent in the European Union before May 15, 1997 and that container be assigned to a food category specified in the Novel Food Regulation. This includes, for example, foods made from microorganisms, fungi or algae. As already mentioned, the omega-2003 fatty acid-rich oil from the microalgae Schizochytrium sp. has had a novel food approval in Europe since 3. The algae oil must contain at least 32 percent of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), be included on the Union list of novel foods and is also only approved as a food ingredient for certain food groups [9] .

Algae oil – cultivation methods
The microalgae are not taken from the sea, but are cultivated in special containers and are completely sustainable due to the environmental and resource conservation. By cultivating the algae, the fish and krill populations in the sea remain unaffected. Microalgae such as Schizochytrium sp. container be cultivated under both heterotrophic and phototrophic conditions. In heterotrophic algae cultivation, the algae cells are made to grow using other carbon sources such as sugar or acetic acid instead of carbon dioxide. This takes place in the absence of light. The disadvantages of phototrophic cultivation in photobioreactors are that the necessary light supply in these bioreactors requires a technically very complex structure and this creates a large number of surfaces that are susceptible to contamination. This production also requires a high level of energy consumption. When using bioreactors in a closed system, an alternative to the supply of light must be used. While photosynthesis produces the carbon requirements of organisms phototrophically using CO2 and energy from light, heterotrophic cultivation requires a different carbon source. Feeding on sugar or acetic acid (acetate) enables these organisms to live in the dark in nature - for example in deeper soil or water layers. This gives these species an advantage in evolution. For the DHA algae oil 40% of the company BioPlus, the algae of the genus Schizochytrium sp. are cultivated in bio-fermenters made of stainless steel in the absence of light and with appropriate carbon-containing nutrient solutions. The closed system means there is no contact with environmental contaminants. [10] .
Production of vegan Omega-3
Of course, every producer has their own production method, as shown by the BioPlus company's production process. The algae are cultivated in special containers and then fermented. After the algae's cell walls have been broken down, the oil they contain is accessible. The algae oil is produced in a practically oxygen-free processing environment so that it is optimally protected against oxidation. Oxidation causes an unpleasant smell and taste and is irreversible. The oil is then deodorized, bleached and finally gently filtered. In addition to algae oil in liquid form, there is also microencapsulated algae oil powder, which container be filled into vegan hard capsules, for example, or used as a food ingredient. The algae oil powder is produced using a highly innovative technology (Filtermat® technology from BioPlus), a combination of spray and roller drying, for optimal product quality and has a DHA content of approx. 10% [11] .
topic of iodine content
Considerations about the iodine content of oil obtained from algae are generally sensible. For example, algae such as brown algae (Phaeophyceae) are used in dried form for iodine supplementation precisely because of their relatively high iodine content. These brown algae accumulate the iodine contained in seawater in their cells. However, the algae used to produce algae oil with the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are special microalgae, e.g. Schizochytrium sp., which, as described above, are grown under controlled conditions in special facilities. As they are grown with specific nutrient solutions, they containernot accumulate iodine. If iodine is nevertheless present in the microalgae in small, negligible amounts, this is further removed in the further production process to extract and purify the omega-3 fatty acids. Since the daily recommended intake (Nutrient Reference Value – NRV) is 150 μg of iodine per day, algae oil capsules, for example, do not make a significontainert contribution to the daily iodine supply. The traces of iodine they contain are far from representing a safety issue in daily iodine intake. A mandatory declaration only applies from 22,5 μg per day [12] .
The vegan soft starch capsule – an ideal dosage form, especially for vegans
There are various forms of food supplements that contain marine omega-3 fatty acids from algae oil. There are vegan soft starch capsules in different sizes and with different amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. The soft capsules container also be coated with a gastric juice-resistant film. This means that the phenomenon of "burping" described for sensitive people container be completely eliminated.
Unfortunately, marine omega-3 fatty acids are disappearing more and more from our diets. The 2012th Nutrition Report of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), published in 12, found that the German population is not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. It is therefore recommended that not only vegans have their omega-3 fatty acid status (omega-3 index) determined by a doctor. The target range of the omega-3 index is between 8 and 11%. This means that everyone container optimize their personal omega-3 supply by supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids. [13] .
The number of vegetarian or vegan people worldwide is now estimated at one billion. The fact that more and more vegan alternative products are being sold is also due to open-minded, young consumers and their more conscious diet and attitude to life. Living vegan is therefore very trendy and, for example, vegan soft starch capsules filled with high-quality algae oil are a good way to ensure a supply of essential omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to algae oil, evening primrose oil, which contains the two polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acids gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, is also increasingly being consumed in the form of vegan soft capsules.
Technical literature / references:
[1] MAB Habib, M. Parvin, TC Huntington, MR Hasan: A review on culture, production and use of spirulina as food for humans and feeds for domestic animals and (2008), FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No.1034 URL: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i0424e.pdf (as of October 04.10.2018, XNUMX)
[2] D. Honda, T. Yokochi, T. Nakahara, S. Raghukumar, A. Nakagiri, K. Schaumann, T. Higashihara: Molecular Phylogeny of Labyrinthulids and Thraustochytrids Based on the Sequencing of 18s Ribosomal RNA Genes (1999), Society of Protozoologists URL: https://eurekamag.com/pdf/011/011010372.pdf (as of October 04.10.2018, XNUMX)
[3] T. Cavalier-Smith, MTEP Allsopp, EE Chao: Thraustochytrids are chromists, not fungi: 18s rRNA signatures of Heterokonta (1994) URL: http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/346/1318/387 ( As of: October 04.10.2018, XNUMX)
[4] N. Kamlangdee, KW Fan: Polyunsaturated fatty acids production by Schizochytrium sp. isolated from mangrove (2003) URL: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.469.7746&rep=rep1&type=pdf (as of October 04.10.2018, XNUMX)
[5] Press, DGE aktuell: Regularly fish on the table! (2016) URL: https://www.dge.de/presse/pm/regelmaessig-fisch-auf-den-tisch/ (as of: 04.10.2018)
[6] S. Kühnl, B. Hicks: food supplements for vegans (2015), Vital substances – The magazine for micronutrients and their effects, Nuremberg
[7] Prof. Dr. H. Heseker: Vegan is risky (2016), URL: https://www.brigitte.de/gesund/ernaehrung/ernaehrung–der-experte-warnt—veganist-riskant—10017886.html (as of October 12.10.2018, XNUMX)
[8] R. von Braunschweig: Vegetable oils – quality, application and effect (2007), Stadelmann Verlag, Wiggensbach
[9] Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council on novel foods, amending Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1852/2001, URL: https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/uri=CELEX:32015R2283&from=EN (as of 12.10.2018)
[10] BBI Biotech: Heterotrophic algae cultivation, URL: http://algenbioreaktor.de/algenproduktion/heterotophe-algenzucht/ (as of October 12.10.2018, XNUMX)
[11] BioPlus Life Sciences: DHA Algal Oil Processing note & capacity (2015), Bangalore
[12] German Nutrition Society: Iodine, https://www.dge.de/wissenschaft/referenzwerte/jod/-8 (as of 12.10.2018)
[13] 12th Nutrition Report of the DGE, at: https://www.dge.de/wissenschaft/ernaehrungsberichte/ernaehrungsbericht-
2012/ (as of October 12.10.2018, XNUMX)