Haematococcus pluvialis as a source of fatty acids and phytosterols: potential nutritional and biological implications

The main aim of this work was to describe the effect of light-induced stress on bioactive lipid accumulation in Haematococcus pluvialis CCALA 1081. To this end, the lipid profile was analyzed in order to determine triacylglyceride (TAG) and phytosterol content, the fatty acid profile of TAGs and the composition of the sterol fraction. After 3 days of light induced stress, the content of both bioactive lipids significantly increased compared to controls. Palmitic, linoleic, and α linolenic fatty acid content was higher whereas caproic acid content diminished in H. pluvialis under stress. High irradiance also reduced β-sitosterol content whereas chlerosterol, brassicasterol, and Δ7-campesterol content was higher in the phytosterol fraction. No significant levels of lipid peroxidation were detected after 3 days of light-induced stress. In addition, H. pluvialis phytosterols displayed radical scavenging capacity and also a cytotoxic effect associated with the induction of apoptosis in human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Our results show that high light stress induced the accumulation of commercially valuable compounds in H. pluvialis that are of potential benefit to human health.

Fil: Scodelaro Bilbao, Paola Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina

Fil: Damiani, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina

Fil: Salvador, Gabriela Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina

Fil: Leonardi, Patricia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina