Mehdi Mohammadi

Microalgae are photosynthetic single-celled microorganisms that live in saline, freshwater environments that convert light, water, and carbon dioxide into algal biomass. These organisms are an important high-capacity source of unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). One group of unsaturated fatty acids is long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) ω3, from which most studies on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), alpha linolenic acid (ALA), and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can be found. These fatty acids are in high demand due to their important role in human health. The synthesis pathway of unsaturated fatty acids is catalyzed by a complex series of desachurase and alngase enzymes. Dicosahexaenoic acid is made from the alpha precursor of alpha linoleic acid in humans, but its enzymatic conversion rate is very low. Also, in meals with high linoleic acid content, ω6 fatty acids compete with alpha linolenic acid for the enzyme involved in DHA synthesis. . Organic plant metabolic engineers are trying to find genes from different organisms that can produce and collect DHA or EPA in the body. One of the enzymes in the DHA synthesis pathway is ALA delta 4 desachurase, which converts decosapentaenoic acid (DPA) to DHA.