Variability of Omega-3/6 Fatty Acid Obtained Through Extraction-Transesterification Processes from Phaeodactylum tricornutum

The effect of direct transesterification methods on the omega-3/6 composition extracts from Phaeodactylum tricornutum was studied. aim this work to identify an extraction method which allowed obtain most suitable profile fatty acids in terms its potential benefits health, particularly if further used food industry. Seven using acids, alkalis, and heterogeneous-catalysts, (namely 1 7, abbreviated as M1-M7) were performed determine α-linolenic (ALA), linoleic (LA), docosahexaenoic (DHA) eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids. all cases characterized by major abundance palmitic (23.95–34.08%), palmitoleic (30.94–35.56%), oleic (3.00–7.41%), EPA (0.5–6.45%). Unsaturated yield higher with a two-step process (M6, 63.65%). total acid methyl ester content (FAME) obtained acid-transesterification (M1) reached about 21% wt, 60% w/w lipids. ALA relative (ALA/LA ratio) when lipid pre-extraction step prior acid-catalysis (M4). based alkali-catalyst (M3, KOH catalyst) led DHA contents (DHA/EPA ratio up 0.11), although FAME 3.75-fold lower than that (M1). Overall, study shows (M3) improves determination PUFA diatom through more efficient transesterification-based process, thus allow assess value biomass accurately for application