Abstract
Phytoplankton synthesizes essential ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for consumers in the aquatic food webs. Only certain phytoplankton taxa can synthesize eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6ω3), whereas all phytoplankton taxa can synthesize shorter-chain ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA. Here, we experimentally studied how the proportion, concentration (per DW and cell-specific), and production (µg FA L−1 day−1) of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA varied among six different phytoplankton main groups (16 freshwater strains) and between exponential and stationary growth phase. EPA and DHA concentrations, as dry weight, were similar among cryptophytes and diatoms. However, Cryptomonas erosa had two–27 times higher EPA and DHA content per cell than the other tested cryptophytes, diatoms, or golden algae. The growth was fastest with diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria, resulting in high production of medium chain ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA. Even though the dinoflagellate Peridinium cinctum grew slowly, the content of EPA and DHA per cell was high, resulting in a three- and 40-times higher production rate of EPA and DHA than in cryptophytes or diatoms. However, the production of EPA and DHA was 40 and three times higher in cryptophytes and diatoms than in golden algae (chrysophytes and synyrophytes), respectively. Our results show that phytoplankton taxon explains 56–84% and growth phase explains ~1% of variation in the cell-specific concentration and production of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA, supporting understanding that certain phytoplankton taxa play major roles in the synthesis of essential fatty acids. Based on the average proportion of PUFA of dry weight during growth, we extrapolated the seasonal availability of PUFA during phytoplankton succession in a clear water lake. This extrapolation demonstrated notable seasonal and interannual variation, the availability of EPA and DHA being prominent in early and late summer, when dinoflagellates or diatoms increased.
Highlights
Phytoplankton, the microscopic primary producers, are central transformers and cyclers of energy and biomolecules in aquatic food webs [1]
Among all biomolecules synthesized by phytoplankton, alfa-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3ω3) and linoleic acid (LIN, 18:2ω6) can be considered as essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) since consumers cannot synthesize these de novo [5]
The experimental setup of this study consisted of six main groups of phytoplankton, which were sampled at early and late growth phase to understand how phytoplankton nutritional value and production of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA may vary along phytoplankton growth
Summary
Phytoplankton, the microscopic primary producers, are central transformers and cyclers of energy and biomolecules in aquatic food webs [1]. Among all biomolecules synthesized by phytoplankton, alfa-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3ω3) and linoleic acid (LIN, 18:2ω6) can be considered as essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) since consumers cannot synthesize these de novo [5]. These medium-chain ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA are precursors for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5ω-3), docosahexanoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω-3), and arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4w6), but due to the consumers’ limited ability to bioconvert them from ALA or LIN, they can be considered as physiologically essential [5,6]. EPA and DHA are not the only important PUFA for zooplankton, and production of medium chain ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA can promote consumers’ optimal health
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