Abstract
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFAs) and vitamin D3 are essential components of human nutrition. A regular human diet is highly deficient in n-3 LC PUFAs. Fish like salmon are highly recommended in the human diet as they are a major source of high-value n-3 LC PUFAs and vitamin D3. The levels of these nutrients have been decreasing over the last few years in farmed salmon, whose production urgently needs sustainable sources of these nutrients. The microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana (NG) is known for its naturally high potential for the production of eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5 n-3) fatty acid. A commercial diet for Atlantic salmon was supplemented with 1% and 10% of spray-dried NG grown under controlled conditions for a high EPA content. Salmon were harvested on day 49, following which, boneless and skinless salmon meat was recovered from fish and analyzed for the fatty acid profile, total fat, and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3, EPA, and docosapentaenoic fatty acid (DPA, 22:5 n-3) levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05) by supplementing the basal diet with 10% NG, thus, NG represents a novel, functional, natural ingredient and a sustainable source of n-3 LC-PUFAs that can raise the levels of healthy fats and vitamin D3 in farmed salmon meat.
Highlights
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential components of all cell membranes.They influence membrane fluidity and modulate a wide range of functions in the body [1].Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) have many health benefits; they are useful against hypertension and Crohn’s disease, and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and high serum triglycerides [2]
The aim of this study was to improve the nutritional quality of farmed salmon meat by enhancing the levels of long-chain PUFAs, such as EPA, and vitamin D3 by using a natural source like the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana (NG), prepared by spray drying and concentrating NG cultivated under controlled conditions
Our study showed that spray-dried NG produced under controlled culture conditions using UMA 5 culture medium is an important source of ash (21.26%), sodium (5.40%), and calcium (4.11%), and a major source of the polyunsaturated fatty acid EPA (26.73% expressed as a percent of total fatty acids)
Summary
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) have many health benefits; they are useful against hypertension and Crohn’s disease, and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and high serum triglycerides [2]. They have beneficial effects on depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia [2,3]. N-3 LC PUFAs play an important role in brain function and formation of the structure of the neuronal cell membranes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet are involved in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis by producing a synergistic effect with the dietary cholesterol, which is the main regulator of endogenous cholesterol synthesis [5]
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