Lipid characterization of 14 macroalgal species from Madeira Archipelago: implications for animal and human nutrition

The lipid and fatty acid profiles of 14 marine macroalgal species from the Madeira Archipelago, including two green (Ulvales and Dasycladales), three red (Corallinales, Bonnemaisoniales, and Ceramiales) and nine brown (Fucales, Dictyotales, and Sphacelariales) species were characterised in order to determine their potential use for animal and human nutrition. The total lipid content of species analysed was generally low, varying from 0.2 to 5.2% of dry weight. All species presented an omega 6/omega 3 (n-6/n-3) ratio lower than 10, as recommended by the World Health Organization for proper human health. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid were exceptionally high in the green macroalga Ulva sp. Red macroalgae were rich in n-3 long-chain PUFA, particularly Asparagopsis taxiformis, which contained 6.6% of docosahexaenoic acid, and Halopithys incurva with 9.3% of eicosapentaenoic acid. Within Ochrophyta, Dictyota dichotoma is an interesting source of n-3 PUFA due to its high stearidonic acid proportion (8.0%). In addition, H. incurva contained a high proportion of both mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerols. According to their lipid profiles, most macroalgae analysed might be considered of particular interest for their potential exploitation for human nutrition and livestock and aquaculture production.