Abstract
Current research indicates that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) bind to polar lipids (phospholipids and glycolipids) seem to exert a greater bioavailability compared to their neutral forms. The aim of this work was to obtain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) rich polar lipids from the saponifiable lipids (SLs) extracted from the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. (33.4 ± 0.1% of EPA; 60 ± 0.6% polar lipids) by fractionation using silica-gel columns and importantly, non-polar and polar (ethanol) non-toxic solvents. Nowadays, few studies have been conducted towards the extraction and purification of polar lipids. Firstly, the solvent type for obtaining the neutral saponifiable lipid (NSL) fraction (ethyl acetate, EA, butyl acetate, BA) and the SL/silica-gel, SL/BA, and SL/ethanol ratios were optimized in a small silica-gel cartridge (0.69 g silica gel). The optimized conditions were an SL/silica-gel ratio of 22.6 mg/g, an SL/BA ratio of 1.56 mg/mL and an SL/ethanol ratio of 0.312 mg/mL. Next, the fractionation scale was increased to a column containing 10 g of silica-gel. At this scale, a BA SL fraction was obtained with 96.2 ± 0.5% of NSLs, and an ethanol SL fraction containing 97.7 ± 0.3% of polar lipids and 44.9 ± 0.2% of EPA. In the ethanol fraction, 86.6 ± 0.2% of the polar lipids and 71.5 ± 0.4% of the EPA from the SL microalgal extract were recovered. Consequently, EPA-rich polar lipids were obtained at high yields and purities, which could be used as a source of n-3 PUFAs with greater bioavailability than those based on neutral lipids.
Highlights
There is ample scientific evidence on the health benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3) [1]
Current research indicates that n-3 PUFAs that bind to polar lipids, such as phospholipids (PLs) and glycolipids (GLs), seem to exert differential bioavailability and biological effects when consumed compared to neutral forms of n-3 PUFAs [6–8]
The saponifiable lipids (SLs) were extracted with an SL yield of 100 wt% with respect to the SL contained in the Nannochloropsis sp. biomass
Summary
There is ample scientific evidence on the health benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3) [1] These benefits include their ability to reduce cardiovascular problems [2], decrease triglyceride levels, and increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein, “good cholesterol”) levels and anti-inflammatory agents [3]. All these benefits, together with the lack of n-3 PUFAs in the diets of Western countries [4], explain why the market for products rich in these acids is expanding [5]. It is important to take into account the chemical form in which these PUFAs are presented since this influences their bioavailability; their technological properties as components in food, drugs, and cosmetics; and their oxidative stability. Polar lipids have been described as potent bioactive compounds, and the interest in understanding their bioactive mechanisms and the extent of
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