Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae
Published on: October 1, 2013
Overproduction of gamma-Linolenic and Eicosapentaenoic Acids by Algae
1The Laboratory for Microalgal Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boker Campus 84990, Israel.
Abstract:
The pharmaceutical interest and limited availability of gamma-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.
Related Concept Videos
Biofuels
Green Algae
Other Algae
Structure of Lipids
Red Algae
Fats as Energy Storage Molecules

