PROCESS FOR PRODUCING POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN THE FORM OF ESTERS

The present invention relates to an integrated process for the simultaneous production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular in the form of esters, and of esters of palmitic acid from algae. The compounds of the present invention can be used in the pharmaceutical industry (products for the prevention of cardio-circulatory problems) and in the cosmetic industry (emollients and moisturizers). In particular, the present invention is directed to a process for obtaining eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) esters from algal material, comprising the steps of: a) treating the algal material with an extraction solvent to give a liquid phase containing said solvent and algal oil and a solid phase comprising cellulose, sugars and proteins; b) separating the solid phase from the liquid phase of step a); c) separating the algal oil from the extraction solvent in the liquid phase of step b); d) subjecting the algal oil of step c) to a low-temperature treatment so as to obtain the precipitation of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid triglycerides and a liquid phase containing or consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acid triglycerides; e1) separating, isolating and purifying DHA and EPA triglycerides from the liquid phase of step d), or e2) transesterification with ethanol of DHA and EPA triglycerides and isolating the respective DHA and EPA ethyl esters; f) optionally, isolating and purifying the palmitic acid triglyceride from the phase containing the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid triglycerides of step d); g) optionally, transesterification of the palmitic acid triglyceride of step f) with a linear or branched C1-C4 alcohol, to give a C1-C4 alkyl ester of the palmitic acid and glycerol; h) optionally, hydrogenating the glycerol of step g) to give isopropanol. La présente invention concerne un procédé intégré pour la production simultanée d'acides gras polyinsaturés, en particulier sous la forme d'esters, et d'esters d'acide palmitique à partir d'algues. Les composés de la présente invention peuvent être utilisés dans l'industrie pharmaceutique (produits pour la prévention de problèmes cardiocirculatoires) et dans l'industrie cosmétique (émollients et hydratants). En particulier, la présente invention concerne un procédé d'obtention d'esters d'acide eicosapentaénoïque (EPA) et d'acide docosahexaénoïque (DHA) à partir d'une matière algale, comprenant les étapes consistant à : a) traiter la matière algale avec un solvant d'extr