New Strains of the Genus Vischeria (Eustigmatophyceae, Heterokontophyta): Composition of Fatty Acids and Their Possible Use As Dietary Supplements for Animals and Humans

In recent years, amid an increasing shortage of resources, there has been a steady trend towards the search for new biotechnologically valuable algae strains. This paper presents the results of a study of the taxonomic position, growth characteristics and analysis of the fatty acid profile of two strains of eustigmatophyte microalgae of the genus Vischeria (Heterokontophyta) isolated from the Nadymsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrug (Russia) in order to clarify their biotechnological potential. According to the results of morphological and phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), the strains were identified as Vischeria sp. In the work, the growth rates of the studied strains were studied in detail, productivity was assessed, the content of total lipids was determined and the fatty acid composition was studied. It has been shown that both strains are active producers of palmitic, eicosapentaenoic and palmitoleic acids. It is noteworthy that, in terms of the content of palmitoleic acid, both strains studied are superior to its traditional sources. In the strains VKM Al-463 and VKM Al-480, the final concentration of palmitic acid was 419.6 ± 18.1 and 501.3 ± 57.0 mg/L; of palmitoleic acid, 896.5 ± 22.5 and 1312.5 ± 109.0 mg/L; and of eicosapentaenoic acid, 109.0 ± 7.5 and 113.7 ± 8.8 mg/L, respectively. During the comparative analysis, it was found that, although both strains had undoubted biotechnological value, it was the VKM Al-480 strain that most effectively accumulated biomass enriched with these acids. This makes it attractive as an alternative source of raw materials for the production of food and feed additives, cosmetics, and biodiesel.