Vicente, Maria Suzana Ferreira DiasReis, Alberto José DelgadoRodrigues, Ana Sofia de Figueiredo2013-02-282013-02-282012Rodrigues, A.S.F. - Industrial production of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil and microalgae. Lisboa: ISA, 2012, 56 p.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/5257Mestrado em Engenharia Alimentar - Instituto Superior de Agronomiaω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ingredients, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω3) are known for its vital and unique role in human health and well-being by an extensive scientific research. These facts are widely spread by media. At present, the major source of ω-3 PUFAs is fish oil from oily fish like sardine (Sardina pilchardus). This work proposes the use of heterotrophic microalgae such as Crypthecodinium cohnii as an alternative source of interest for the commercial production of ω-3 EPA and DHA. It is also suggested the use of a common process suitable for both feedstock. EPA and/or DHA production are accomplished through oil saponification and PUFAs concentration winterization and urea concentration. PUFAs purification by chromatography is only necessary when oil is extracted from fish since fractions obtained from C. cohnii have high proportions in DHA and they do not require further purification steps for food applications. The combination of traditional (seasonal) and alternative sources (year-round) using a common production process shows an economic advange with increasing earnings for market development.engdocosahexaenoid acideicosapentaenoic acidOmega-3polyunsaturated fatty acidssardineCrypthecodinium cohniimaster thesis