DHA (Algal)

ABSTRACT This study investigated the anti‐aging effects of algal Omega3‐DHA in senescence‐accelerated mice (SAM). Male and female SAMP8 mice (3 months old) were divided into a control group and four experimental groups (1× or 2× algal Omega3‐DHA, with/without phospholipids). The mice were orally administered test samples dissolved in corn oil daily for 13 weeks. Aging scores were significantly lower in male mice across all experimental groups and in female mice in the phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS) (p < 0.05) groups. Learning and memory improved significantly in all the experimental groups (p < 0.05). Brain biomarkers of aging, including 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl content, and β‐amyloid (Aβ) protein, were significantly reduced, while liver antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were increased in the PC and PS groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, survival times were extended in both male and female mice compared to controls. No adverse effects were observed in terms of body weight or activity level. In summary, algal Omega3‐DHA supplementation improved cognitive performance, enhanced antioxidant defenses, reduced aging markers, and delayed aging in SAM mice, highlighting its potential as a promising anti‐aging strategy.

The application of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in functional foods is severely restricted by its susceptibility to oxidative degradation. To overcome this, a novel bioactive delivery vehicle was engineered using Haematococcus pluvialis protein (HPP) and glycosylated soy protein amyloid fibrils (AFS) via emulsion electrospinning. This study investigated the physicochemical properties and oxidation stability of core-shell nanofibers fabricated from spinning solution with varying oil contents (0-4%). The spinning solutions exhibited shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluid behavior. The incorporation of oil increased the hydrophobicity of the nanofiber films, with the water contact angle rising from 46.8° (0% oil) to 86.4° (40% oil) due to physical cross-linking. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the 30% oil content group (E3) formed a distinct, uniform hollow core-shell structure, driven by the optimal balance between conductivity and viscosity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) suggested the presence of hydrogen bonding interactions between the lipid core and the polymer shell significantly enhanced thermal stability. Crucially, accelerated oxidation tests demonstrated a synergistic protective mechanism combining the physical barrier of the nanofiber shell with the chemical antioxidant activity of HPP. After 7 days, the E3 nanofibers exhibited the lowest accumulation of primary and secondary oxidation products (POV: 238.66 ± 2.72 mmol/kg oil; TBARS: 49.26 ± 3.91 mg/kg oil), representing a 63.6% reduction in POV and 33.3% reduction in TBARs compared to the unencapsulated control (POV: 656.07 ± 2.14 mmol/kg oil; TBARS: 73.88 ± 0.27 mg/kg oil). This study supports the potential use of amyloid-fibril-stabilized natural interfaces for the efficient preservation of functional lipids, highlighting the superior synergistic protective effect of the HPP-AFS composite system.

BACKGROUND Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a critical dietary supplement for vulnerable populations (e.g., infants, pregnant women), but contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-persistent "forever chemicals"-poses potential health risks. Currently, no standardized methods exist for PFAS detection in DHA products, hindering quality control and risk assessment. OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of four PFAS (PFOA, PFODA, PFOS, and PFBS) in DHA matrices (algal oil and fish oil) and support product safety evaluation. METHODS Samples were extracted with 50% methanol/acetonitrile (v/v) via ultrasonication (40 °C, 20 min), followed by centrifugation and filtration. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex Kinetex F5 column (100 × 3.0 mm, 2.6 μm) with gradient elution (mobile phase: 2 mmol/L ammonium formate aqueous solution-methanol) in 12 min. Detection was performed via negative electrospray ionization (ESI-) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Method validation included linearity, limits of detection (LODs)/quantitation (LOQs), accuracy, precision, matrix effects, and stability. Thirteen commercial DHA products (11 algal oil, 2 fish oil) were analyzed. RESULTS Linearity (r ≥ 0.99) were achieved for PFAS; LODs/LOQs: 0.02/0.04 ng/mL. Recoveries at three spiking levels (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 ng/mL) were ranged from 92.1%-108.4%, with RSDs of 2.8%-5.6%. Matrix effects were effectively corrected via matrix-matched calibration. Trace PFAS were detected in 3/13 samples, all below regulatory limits. CONCLUSIONS The developed method is reliable for routine PFAS detection in DHA matrixes, providing practical technical support for quality control and risk assessment for DHA supplements for vulnerable populations. HIGHLIGHTS Rapid (12 min), sensitive, and applicable to both algal oil and fish oil matrixes.

This study constructed DHA algae oil emulsions using sodium caseinate (NaCS) as an emulsifier and by controlling the mass fraction of glycerol in the aqueous phase (0-90 wt%). The differences of physicochemical properties, oxidative stability, and bioaccessibility were systematically investigated. The findings indicated that the incorporation of glycerol significantly enhanced the emulsion performance. The emulsion with high glycerol content (90 wt%) exhibited the smallest droplet size (185.6 ± 4.05 nm), the highest apparent viscosity and shear modulus, demonstrating weak gel characteristics, and maintained excellent stability within the pH range of 3-8 and under centrifugal conditions. By inhibiting the dissolved oxygen in the aqueous phase and delaying oxygen diffusion, the glycerol emulsion significantly slowed down the oxidation process of DHA algae oil, with lower primary oxidation products (POV) and secondary oxidation products (TBARS) compared to the conventional emulsion (0 wt% glycerol). Additionally, it inhibited the oxidation of tryptophan and the formation of Schiff bases in NaCS, effectively suppressing protein oxidation. In vitro simulated digestion experiments showed that the DHA bioaccessibility of all emulsions was above 85%, which was three times higher than that of pure algae oil (27.8%), and the glycerol content had no significant effect on it. This study confirms that the low-water glycerol-NaCS emulsion system can synergistically enhance the oxidative stability and bioavailability of DHA algae oil, providing a new strategy for developing long-lasting and stable functional lipid delivery systems.

Objective To answer the question what is the best source or composition of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that will provide the most favorable and safe outcome for peripheral neuropathy (PN) in an animal model of obesity? Traditionally encapsulated fish oil is the primary source of omega-3 PUFA as a nutritional supplement. However, other sources exist that could be a better environmental, safety, and/or economic choice. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats 12 weeks of age were fed a 45% kcal diet to induce obesity and model pre-diabetes. Early and late intervention protocols were used to determine the ability of omega-3 PUFA derived from menhaden (fish) oil, krill oil, algal oils, or ethyl esters to slow the progression or reverse PN associated with pre-diabetes by examining multiple endpoints of sensory nerve function, morphometry and vascular reactivity. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary omega-3 PUFA, and a combination exist in fish and krill oil. However, algal oils and ethyl esters are available as EPA, DHA, or EPA & DHA and each were used in this study. Results We report that multiple sources of omega-3 PUFA are a proactive treatment for PN that occurs with pre-diabetes including improvement in sensory nerve conduction velocity, thermal nociception and cornea sensitivity and corneal nerve fiber length. Improvement in vascular reactivity of epineurial arterioles of the sciatic nerve was observed. We also report that EPA and DHA had different outcomes for these endpoints. Conclusion We confirm that omega-3 PUFA are an effective treatment to prevent and reverse PN associated with obesity and pre-diabetes. Additional studies will be needed to definitively determine what would be the best and most consistent source of this important nutritional supplement from an environmental and economical viewpoint.

This study comprehensively investigated DHA algal oil emulsions and microcapsules prepared with different egg yolk hydrolysates (DHYP). Dual-enzyme (phospholipase A1 and protease) treatment enhanced emulsion stability by boosting protein adsorption, reducing particle size, and increasing zeta potential. For microcapsules, EF-DUAL, treated with dual-enzymes, had improved solubility, dispersibility, and wall material compactness, effectively protecting DHA from oxidation. During accelerated storage, EF-DUAL had the lowest oxidation levels and maintained a high DHA retention rate of 22.08 % after 12 days at 60 °C, extending DHA algal oil's shelf life by 300 %. Linear regression analysis indicated that the oxidation of DHA algal oil followed first-order kinetics, whereas microcapsule powders exhibited higher zero-order coefficients. Overall, this study underscores the potential of DHYP, particularly dual-enzyme hydrolyzed egg yolk powder, as a wall material for DHA microencapsulation.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) algal oil is susceptible to oxidation, restricting its application in food industry. The DHA algal oil was converted to Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) fabricated by dynamic high-pressure microfluidization (DHPM) modified oat protein isolates (MOPIs). DHPM treatment enhanced the amphiphilicity and interfacial activity of MOPIs, leading to the formation of HIPEs with regular polygonal network structures consisting of a dense and mechanically stable oil-water interface. Under the optimal conditions of an MOPIs concentration of 4 % (w/v), and DHA oil phase volume proportion of 0.80 (v/v), the HIPEs demonstrated favorable stability against storage, heat treatment, and oxidation. Over an 18-d storage period, the oxidation rate of DHA algal oil was reduced by more than 50.53 %. This work provides a clean-label, plant-based strategy to improve the oxidative stability of DHA algal oil and expands the application potential of oat proteins in functional foods and sustainable lipid delivery systems.

This study explores the therapeutic potential of ω-3 algal oil (rich in DHA) and ω-7 sea buckthorn oil (rich in palmitoleic acid) in addressing hyperlipidemia and associated metabolic disorders. These oils regulate lipid metabolism through the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1/ABCG1 signaling pathway, reducing cholesterol accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice, supplementation with these oils significantly improved lipid profiles, alleviated hepatic steatosis, and promoted cardiovascular health. The combination of ω-3 and ω-7 fatty acids showed synergistic effects, offering greater efficacy compared to individual treatments. These findings suggest that algal and sea buckthorn oils could serve as dietary supplements or therapeutic interventions for managing hyperlipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular diseases. This study highlights the potential of these oils as novel, natural solutions for metabolic health improvement.

Correction for 'The comparative effects of ω-7 fatty acid-rich sea buckthorn oil and ω-3 fatty acid-rich DHA algal oil on improving high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia' by Jing Li et al., Food Funct., 2025, 16, 1241-1253, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FO04961F.

The growing emphasis on sustainable production and nutrient-rich food alternatives has gained significant research and market interest in novel protein sources and bioactive compounds. This global shift not only supports food security but also aligns with strategies to minimize the environmental impact of food systems. Among the emerging alternatives, algal proteins have gathered considerable attention owing to their high protein yield and complete essential amino acid profile. Their superior protein quality and extractability position algae as a highly promising candidate for next-generation protein sources. Recent breakthroughs in extraction and hydrolysis technologies have further advanced the extractability of bioactive peptides from algal biomass. These peptides demonstrate a wide spectrum of health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antihypertensive effects. Additionally, algae cultivation is highly sustainable, requiring minimal land, water, and resources, thereby offering a low environmental footprint compared to traditional protein sources. This review presents an overview of current advancements in algal protein extraction and peptide hydrolysis techniques, emphasizing their growing potential in the development of functional ingredients for food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. The integration of these bioactive-rich peptides into future food systems represents a strategic step towards sustainable nutrition and health.

Abstract Behavioral reactivity in horses poses a welfare and safety risk to both the horse and the handler, however, beneficial effects have been observed when dietary fat is increased in replacement of sugar. Supplementation with the fatty acids (FA) eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) appear to improve negative behaviors in rodents and humans, but the effect of α-linolenic acid (ALA), EPA, and DHA, specifically, on reactivity in horses is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of camelina oil (CAM; ALA-enriched) and a mix of camelina and algal oil (ALG; ALA-, EPA-, and DHA-enriched) both fed at a dose of 0.37 g oil/kg body weight on plasma FA, behavior, and heart rate variability (HRV) in young horses compared to a negative control (CON). Thirty-four client-owned horses aged 7 mo to 6 yr were enrolled. Horses were assigned to either CAM, ALG, or CON and underwent a novel object test (NOT) before and after a 6-wk supplementation period. Prior to each NOT, blood was collected for evaluation of plasma FA profile (n = 28). During the NOT, behavior was recorded using a predetermined ethogram and assessed in BORIS software by 2 raters (n = 29). Electrocardiogram (ECG) data was collected at baseline, during the NOT, and after the NOT (recovery). The ECG data was analyzed in Kubios software for determination of heart rate (HR) and several HRV parameters (n = 24). The treatment oils were treated as fixed effects, baseline measurements as covariates, and location as a random effect. Plasma DHA (P < 0.01) was greater and n-6:n-3 ratio (P < 0.01) was reduced in ALG than in CAM and CON, while ALA and EPA were similar among treatments (P > 0.05). When treatments were pooled, the maximum HR (P < 0.01) and the low frequency to high frequency ratio HRV parameter (P < 0.01) were greater during the NOT compared to baseline and recovery. Bucking (P = 0.03) and backing (P = 0.02) behaviors were reduced in the CAM group compared to the CON gr

Background and Objectives: We have previously reported that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from fish oil (FO) is an effective treatment for type 1 and type 2 diabetes neural and vascular complications. As omega-3 PUFAs become more widely used as a nutritional and disease modifying supplement an important question to be addressed is what is the preferred source of omega-3 PUFAs? Methods: Using a type 2 diabetic rat model and early and late intervention protocols we examined the effect of dietary treatment with omega-3 PUFAs derived from menhaden (fish) oil (MO), krill oil (KO), algal oils consisting primarily of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or combination of EPA + DHA, or pharmaceutical-derived ethyl esters of EPA, DHA or combination of EPA + DHA. Nerve related endpoints included motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, heat sensitivity of the hind paw, intraepidermal nerve density, cornea nerve fiber length, and cornea sensitivity. Vascular reactivity to acetylcholine and calcitonin gene-related peptide by epineurial arterioles that provide blood to the sciatic nerve was also examined. Results: The dose of each omega-3 PUFA supplement increased the content of EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and/or DHA in red blood cell membranes, serum and liver. Diabetes caused a significant decrease of 30–50% of neural function and fiber occupancy of the skin and cornea and vascular reactivity. Treatment with MO, KO or the combination of EPA + DHA provided through algal oil or ethyl esters provided significant improvement of each neural endpoint and vascular function. Algal oil or ethyl ester of EPA alone was the least effective with algal oil or ethyl ester of DHA alone providing benefit that approached combination therapies for some endpoints. Conclusions: We confirm that omega-3 PUFAs are an effective treatment for DPN and sources other than fish oil are similarly effective.

The aim of this study was to optimize the formation of sodium caseinate (CS) and gum arabic (GA) complexes through the Maillard reaction and to evaluate their effectiveness in improving the emulsification properties and stability of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) nanoemulsions. First, the best target polysaccharides were selected, and the best modification conditions were determined using orthogonal experiments. Secondly, the response surface experiments were used to optimize the preparation process of the emulsion. The stability, in vitro digestion characteristics, and rheological characteristics of the emulsion prepared by means of CS–GA were compared with the emulsion prepared using a whey protein isolate (WPI). After the orthogonal test, the optimal modification conditions were determined to be a reaction time of 96 h, a CS–GA mass ratio of 1:2, a reaction temperature of 60 °C, and a degree of grafting of 44.91%. Changes in the infrared (IR), Raman, ultraviolet (UV), and endogenous fluorescence spectra also indicated that the complex structure was modified. The response surface test identified the optimal preparation process as follows: an emulsifier concentration of 5 g/L, an oil-phase concentration of 5 g/L, and a homogenization frequency of five, and the emulsion showed good stability. Therefore, the use of a nanoemulsion as a nanoscale DHA algal oil delivery system is very promising for extending the shelf life and improving the stability of food.

A 12-week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the complete co-replacement of fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) in juvenile Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) diets. Five open-formula experimental diets were formulated as iso-nitrogenous (approximately 46% crude protein) and iso-lipidic (approximately 15% crude lipid). It is assumed that Florida pompano lack the mechanisms for synthesizing sufficient LC-PUFA. In the FM/FO-free diets, to meet the necessary dietary intake of LC-PUFA, a commercially available Schizochytrium algal oil was used. Four diets were prepared from a basal mix, with spirulina and poultry by-product meal as the principal protein sources. They differed only in their oil source, containing fish oil (FO), algal oil (AO), soy oil (SO), or a 50/50 blend of algal oil and soy oil (A/S). The fifth experimental diet (control) was a standard open-formula FM diet. In addition to the experimental diets, two commercial closed-formula diets served as references. The seven diets, each with four replicates, were stocked with 20 Florida pompano (approximately 4 g) in each. The experimental open-formula diets were tested against the control using Dunnett’s t-test, and different oil sources were tested against each other using orthogonal contrasts. The four experimental diets were each tested against the two reference diets with equivalency tests. Feed intake and survival were not different between the experimental diets and control. However, all production metrics were lower in the SO diet than the control. No other differences were observed between the FO, AO, and A/S diets and the control, or between the three diets. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in fish fed the SO diet than in fish fed the control diet, and no other differences were found. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was higher in fish fed the control diet than in fish fed the experimental diets. Protein productive values (PPV) were similar to PER, except that the PPV in fish fed the

Ce travail présente une méthode permettant d’augmenter la consommation en DHA de la population sans accroitre le prélèvement halieutique, grâce à la production de produits provenant d’animaux terrestres nourris avec des aliments contenant du DHA provenant de microalgues de culture et d’ALA provenant du lin extrudé. Après une identification des espèces fixant le DHA en quantité importante (pondeuse, lapins, poulet de chair), des essais réalisés sur ces animaux (21 sur pondeuses, 9 sur lapins, 6 sur poulets de chair) ont permis de déterminer les conditions d’enrichissement en DHA ainsi que les teneurs en cet acide gras que l’on peut atteindre dans ces produits. Ainsi, avec cette alimentation, le contenu en DHA des œufs est de 200 mg / 100 grammes soit 3,5 fois plus qu’un œuf standard; pour le lapin (par exemple, la gigolette), cette valeur est également de 200 mg / 100 grammes soit 10 fois plus qu’une viande de lapin standard; et pour le poulet de chair (par exemple, le blanc) 83 mg / 100 grammes soit 4 fois plus qu’une viande de poulet de chair standard. La plupart de ces produits peuvent alléguer « Riche en oméga 3 » ou « Source d’oméga 3 ». Ces différents aliments peuvent être associés dans des menus permettant d’atteindre les recommandations d’ingestion de DHA sans augmenter la consommation de poisson, améliorant ainsi la santé de la population et celle de la planète dans le respect des habitudes alimentaires.  

Algal DHA (1.16g/d) improves memory and reaction time in healthy young adults.

Review of algal DHA as safe, effective and sustainable alternative to fish oil.

Algal DHA is bioequivalent to fish-derived DHA for raising blood DHA levels.