Journal Articles Journal of Applied Phycology Year : 2025

Lipid composition and biomass utilisation prospects of holopelagic Sargassum species in the French West Indies

Abstract

Since 2011 significant strandings of holopelagic Sargassum spp. have caused environmental, public health and socio-economic issues, particularly in the French West Indies. This study aimed to analyse the fatty acid composition of neutral and polar lipid fractions in three Sargassum morphotypes: Sargassum fluitans var. fluitans, S. natans var. natans, and S. natans var. wingei, sampled from nearshore, bay, and stranded locations. Total fatty acid content varied significantly between morphotypes and islands, with higher content in Martinique (0.66 +/- 0.10% dry weight) compared to Guadeloupe (0.49 +/- 0.06% DW). Neutral lipid fractions showed high levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), up to 53.7 +/- 2.4% of total fatty acids, especially in bay rafts from Martinique. Stranded algae had higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) compared to bay and nearshore rafts. Major fatty acids in neutral and lipid fractions included 16:0, 18:1n-9, 20:4n-6, with notable levels of 16:1n-7, 18:2n-6, and 18:3n-3. Differences in fatty acid composition were mainly associated with an increase in 16:0, while the reduced levels of PUFAs were linked to lower levels of 20:4n-6 which were potentially linked to environmental conditions and degradation processes. Despite these variations, the lipid composition of Sargassum biomass, particularly its omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, suggests potential for valorisation in various industrial sectors, including food and feed applications. This research highlights the ecophysiological significance of Sargassum lipids and their diverse applications.
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Dates and versions

hal-04909793 , version 1 (24-01-2025)

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Camberra Gauyat, Ambre Gautier, Solène Connan, Claire Hellio, Ana Reyes, et al.. Lipid composition and biomass utilisation prospects of holopelagic Sargassum species in the French West Indies. Journal of Applied Phycology, 2025, ⟨10.1007/s10811-024-03427-3⟩. ⟨hal-04909793⟩
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