Background

Oils rich in omega-3 have been of industrial and economic importance, mainly for its benefits in human and animal health. Fish is considered the primary source for obtaining omega-3. The resurgence of interest in the use of omega-3 as a functional food has led to the need of alternative sources in this growing market.

Scope and approach

Omega-3 produced by marine thraustochytrids have appeared as an alternative to fish oil and an eco-friendly solution to overfishing. Here, we review key mechanisms that enable sustainable production and technological prospection of omega-3 from thraustochytrids. Sustainability analysis identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for omega-3 oils from thraustochytrids. Thus, this study shows the technological prospection based on the worldwide patent landscape.

Key findings and conclusions

Thraustochytrids have also been known as microalgae on the international market, which has been well received by consumers as a natural or vegan source of omega-3 supplementation. Thus, omega-3 oils can be developed in controlled bioprocess systems preventing the production of toxins and pollutants. Hence, the technological prospection showed a growing trend with 731 patents published between 1999 and 2018. Most patents were classified within the chemical and human areas, which highlighted omega-3 oils involving biosynthesis by microorganisms such as Aurantiochytrium in food applications. These technologies have been mainly developed by countries, such as the United States, China, Netherlands and Japan, which refer to bioreactor cultivation, strains improvement and food formulations. Thus, global patent search allowed to analyze technological advances, trends and market gaps of omega-3 oils from thraustochytrids as a renewable technological solution.