The American Heart association and the European Society of Cardiology recommend a dietary consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) at 1 g/d for the prevention of coronary heart disease. Human dietary sources of PUFAs are mainly derived from fish and fish oil. Unfortunately these natural sources may be compromised with the bioaccumulation of toxins; further the composition of fatty acids (FAs) in the derived oil are not consistent and may not always be high in PUFAs. Sadly declining wild fisheries alone will not fulfill the demand for the dietary requirements from a growing human population. Microalgae are sources of a variety of beneficial metabolites including FAs. They are capable of synthesizing and accumulating PUFAs providing an alternate source for dietary requirements. Oleaginous microalgae are known for their varying lipid productivity and can accumulate up to ~67% lipid by dry wt. Cultivation of microalgae rich in PUFAs is a potential source of dietary omega-3 FAs.
In Aim 1 we determine the effect of environmental conditions on PUFA synthesis and primary metabolite pools. We will quantify the abundance and specific FA composition of lipid produced by the oleaginous microalgae N. salina when grown under cold stress & nutrient stress. Adaptability of microalgae to varying environmental conditions does not only directly affect growth and yield but has a determining role on lipid production and composition.
In Aim 2 we will determine the complete lipidome by a detailed compositional analysis using FT-ICR MS. These results will identify lipid classes enriched in PUFAs side chains. We will also determine how lipid classes and metabolic pools are influenced and remodeled by abiotic environmental stress promoting the synthesis of PUFAs that are sequestered into triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and accumulation. At the conclusion of this pilot proposal, we will have new information on the roles of abiotic stress on total PUFA accumulation and the metabolic reallocation that supports carbon flux towards their synthesis. Secondly we identify the role that other lipid species play in remodeling and providing highly unsaturated FAs to support the de novo synthesis of TAG rich in PUFA. Algae cultivation is well suited to the desert southwest, especially marine algae, which can use the non-arable land and saline aquifers. The cultivation of microalgae rich in PUFAs is a potential source of dietary omega-3 FAs which can be broadly and economically available for the prevention of nutritionally-based health disparities in the southwestern United States.

Public Health Relevance

Both the American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology recommend a dietary consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids are in fish and fish oils, yet declining wild fisheries alon will not fulfill the demand for the dietary requirements from a growing human population. Understanding the metabolic acclimation and lipidomic remodeling of oleaginous microalgae under abiotic stress promoting the synthesis of PUFA will provide crucial information in developing a sustainable source of PUFAs for human dietary requirements.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Pilot Research Project (SC2)
Project #
5SC2HL126060-03
Application #
9056465
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZGM1)
Program Officer
Chen, Jue
Project Start
2014-05-01
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2016-05-01
Budget End
2017-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New Mexico State University Las Cruces
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Earth Sciences/Resources
DUNS #
173851965
City
Las Cruces
State
NM
Country
United States
Zip Code
88003