SBIR Phase I: Large-Scale Production of Stearidonic Acid from Microalgae for Human Health

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目证明了从微藻中生产硬脂酸用于人类对抗心血管疾病(CVD)的可行性。富含omega-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3多不饱和脂肪酸)的鱼油对心血管的益处是有据可查的。尽管有压倒性的证据和强有力的建议支持n-3多不饱和脂肪酸的健康益处，但n-3多不饱和脂肪酸在美国人口中的消费量仍然很低，主要是由于鱼油的难闻气味和味道以及对环境污染的持续问题。可以补充n-3多不饱和脂肪酸摄入量的鱼油的一种天然替代品预计将减少心血管疾病的总体发病率。硬脂酸(SDA)最近被认为是预防心血管疾病最有前途的鱼油替代品。然而，SDA的天然来源仅限于少数几种植物。大量种植这些植物的可行性值得怀疑，这些植物的毒理学特征仍然令人担忧。这项研究通过利用富含SDA的微藻作为天然SDA的替代来源来解决这一问题。这项研究将能够生产富含SDA的微藻，作为美国人改善健康的营养产品。在商业上，该项目的目标是从微藻中生产膳食硬脂酸。该项目将建立一种商业上可行的微藻生物技术来生产SDA，目标是与价值数十亿美元的鱼油市场竞争。

This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I project demonstrates the feasibility of producing stearidonic acid from microalgae for human consumption to combat cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The cardiovascular benefits of fish oil enriched in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are well-documented. Despite overwhelming evidence and strong recommendations supporting the health benefits of n-3 PUFAs, the consumption of n-3 PUFAs remains low in the American population, due mainly to unpleasant odor and taste of fish oil and persistent questions about environmental contaminations. A natural alternative to fish oil that could supplement the intake of n-3 PUFA would be predicted to reduce the overall incidence in CVD. Stearidonic acid (SDA) has been identified recently as the most promising alternative to fish oil for preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, the natural source of SDA is limited only in a few plants. The feasibility of growing mass quantities of these plants is questionable and the toxicology profile of these plants remains to be a concern. This research solves this problem by exploiting SDA-rich microalgae as an alternative source of natural SDA for human consumption. This research will be able to produce SDA-rich microalgae as nutraceutical products for Americans to improve health. Commercially, this project aims at production of dietary stearidonic acid from microalgae. This project will establish a commercially viable microalgal biotechnology for production of SDA, targeted at competition with the multi-billion dollar fish oil market.