Downstream processing of algal polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Little information exists on recovering polyunsaturated fatty acids from microalgae; however, methods for concentration and purification of PUFAs from fish oil have been extensively reported. This review examines recovery and purification of microalgae derived PUFAs, but techniques developed for use with fish oil are also reviewed as being potentially useful for concentration and purification from microalgae. The two main techniques for concentrating and purifying-urea fractionation and high performance liquid chromatography-are discussed in depth and attention is focused on the process developed by the authors for obtaining highly pure PUFA. Other potentially useful techniques, such as supercritical fluid extraction and lipase-catalyzed processing are detailed.