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Metabolism and Enzymology

Overproduction of -Linolenic and Eicosapentaenoic Acids by Algae ¹

The Laboratory for Microalgal Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boker Campus 84990, Israel, Desert Agrobiology Research Unit, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boker Campus 84990, Israel

The pharmaceutical interest and limited availability of -linolenic acid (GLA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) prompted the search for genetic means for increasing the production of these fatty acids from algal sources. Cell lines of Spirulina platensis and Porphyridium cruentum resistant to the growth inhibition of the herbicide Sandoz 9785 were selected by serial transfers of the culture in the presence of increasing concentrations of the herbicide. The resistant cell lines of S. platensis overproduced GLA and those of P. cruentum overproduced EPA and were stable for at least 50 generations in the absence of the inhibitor.