Dha algae oil
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DHA Algae Oil: Enhancing Stability, Bioaccessibility, and Sustainability
Improving Oxidative Stability of DHA Algae Oil
Composite Antioxidants for Enhanced Stability
DHA algae oil is highly susceptible to oxidation, which can significantly reduce its shelf life. Research has shown that combining various antioxidants can markedly improve the oxidative stability of DHA algae oil. A study optimized the use of ascorbyl palmitate (AP), vitamin E (VE), phytic acid (PA), and tea polyphenols (TP) to enhance the oil's stability. The optimal combination of 80 mg/kg each of AP, VE, and TP, along with 40 mg/kg PA, resulted in the highest oxidative stability, extending the shelf life by 3.80 times compared to the control sample .
Gallic Acid Alkyl Esters and Antioxidant Combinations
Another study focused on gallic acid (GA) alkyl esters, particularly octyl gallate (OG), which was found to be the most effective among GA esters. When combined with tea polyphenol palmitate (TPP), the mixture of 53.20 mg/kg OG and 360 mg/kg TPP provided the best antioxidant capacity, extending the shelf life of DHA algae oil by 4.24 times .
Microencapsulation for Oxidative Protection and Release Behavior
Microencapsulation Techniques
Microencapsulation is a promising technique to protect DHA algae oil from oxidation and improve its release behavior. Using wall materials like whey protein isolate and glucose syrup (WPI+GS), sodium starch octenylsuccinate and glucose syrup (SSOS+GS), and whey protein isolate and lactose (WPI+L), researchers achieved over 98% encapsulation efficiency. SSOS+GS provided the best oxidative protection and uniform microcapsule formation, while WPI+L showed the highest release of DHA in the intestinal phase, indicating enhanced stability and digestibility .
In Vitro Release and Digestion
Further studies on commercial DHA microcapsules from algae oil and tuna oil revealed that microcapsules with whey protein (WP) as the wall material showed better release and digestion profiles. Algae oil microcapsules (A-DHA) demonstrated a more stable release and higher lipid digestibility compared to tuna oil microcapsules (T-DHA), suggesting that WP-coated A-DHA microcapsules are more effective for sustained release during gastrointestinal digestion .
Bioaccessibility and Delivery Systems
Emulsified Delivery Systems
The bioaccessibility of DHA algae oil can be significantly improved using emulsified delivery systems. Comparing bulk oil, soy protein-stabilized oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, and carrageenan gelled emulsion, researchers found that emulsified oils had lower lipid oxidation and higher bioaccessibility. The gelled emulsion showed the highest bioaccessibility at 84%, followed by the O/W emulsion at 71%, and bulk oil at 58% .
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Life Cycle Assessment
DHA algae oil is a sustainable alternative to fish oil, with a lower environmental impact. A life cycle assessment comparing DHA from algae oil and Peruvian anchovy oil showed that algae oil had significantly lower impacts on global warming, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, and land use. This makes DHA algae oil a promising option for reducing the environmental footprint of aquaculture and supporting circular food systems .
Conclusion
DHA algae oil offers numerous benefits, including enhanced oxidative stability, improved bioaccessibility, and a lower environmental impact compared to traditional fish oil. By utilizing composite antioxidants, microencapsulation techniques, and emulsified delivery systems, the stability and effectiveness of DHA algae oil can be significantly improved, making it a viable and sustainable alternative for various applications.
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