THE POTENTIAL OF HETEROTROPHIC MICROALGAE (Schizochytrium sp.) AS A SOURCE OF DHA

Abstract

Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) is commercially obtained from marine fish. With an increasinghuman population, the supplies of DHA are still not sufficient to meet the world’s need of DHA asfood supplement. The objective of this review is to discuss Schizochytrium sp., one of microalgaewhich is rich in DHA, as one of the best candidate as producer of sustainable and affordable DHA.Heterotrophic microalgae, especially genus Schizochytrium, produces omega-3 fatty acids up to40% of total unsaturated fatty acids.  Cultivation of the microalgae is easy as it does not requiresunlight as source of energy. Previous publication reported that several local strains ofSchizochytrium have been isolated from mangrove area in Indonesia. We expect that thosestrains can be cultivated in mass production as producer of DHA.