Edible oils from microalgae: insights in TAG accumulation

A J Klok; P P Lamers; D E Martens; R B Draaisma; R H Wijffels

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.07.004

Edible oils from microalgae: insights in TAG accumulation

Trends Biotechnol. 2014 Oct;32(10):521-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.07.004. Epub 2014 Aug 26.

Authors

A J Klok¹, P P Lamers², D E Martens², R B Draaisma³, R H Wijffels²

Affiliations

¹ AlgaePARC, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: [email protected].
² AlgaePARC, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands.
³ Unilever Research and Development Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.

PMID: 25168414
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.07.004

Abstract

Microalgae are a promising future source for sustainable edible oils. To make microalgal oil a cost-effective alternative for common vegetable oils, increasing TAG productivity and TAG content are of high importance. Fulfilling these targets requires proper understanding of lipid metabolism in microalgae. Here, we provide an overview of our current knowledge on the biology of TAG accumulation as well as the latest developments and future directions for increasing oil production in microalgae, considering both metabolic engineering techniques and cultivation strategies.

Keywords: cultivation strategies; metabolism; microalgae; strain development; triacylglycerol (TAG); vegetable oil.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biofuels*
Biotechnology*
Dietary Fats / metabolism*
Microalgae / metabolism*
Triglycerides / metabolism*

Substances

Biofuels
Dietary Fats
Triglycerides