Fatty acids from 28 marine microalgae

Fatty acid (FA) compositions and C/N ratios of 28 marine microalgae from nine taxonomic classes were examined. A combination of several criteria was selected to discriminate taxonomic classes: 16:4 (n-1), 20:5 (n-3), 22:6(n-3), C 18 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), C 20)PUFA, C 22PUFA, 16:1(n-7)/I6:0, C 16FA/C 18FA, C 16PUFA/ C 18PUFA, 18:5(n-3)/18:3(n-3). Results expressed in terms of relative abundance (per cent of total fatty acids) and absolute abundance (ng FA mg C −1 and pg FA cell −1) led to different interpretations concerning the nutritional value of the different species as food for organisms in culture or in the natural environment.