Alterations in Fatty Acid Composition of Marine Red Alga Porphyridium purpureum by Environmental Factors

The effects of culture temperature, illumination time, aeration and concentrations of NH 4 Cl, phosphorus and NaCl in the medium on population growth and fatty acid composition of P. purpureum which exhibited the highest productivity of EPA and AA among 84 strains of marine microalgae tested were investigated. It was observed that the level of C 20:5 is high and the levels of C 20:4 and C 18 fatty acid groups are low under optimal growth conditions. The reverse phenomenon was observed under growth-limiting conditions. It was concluded that we should be able to regulate and maintain high levels of EPA and/or AA by modifying this algal environment