Table 1.
Lists of most common omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and their accumulation in microalgae and oilseed crops
| Common name | Systematic name | Synonyms | Algae | Oilseeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OMEGA3 | ||||
| α-Linolenic acid (ALA) | 9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid | 18:3n-3; 18:3 Δ9,12, 15 | √ | √ |
| Stearidonic acid (SDA) | 6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatetraenoic acid | 18:4n-3; 18:4 Δ6,9,12, 15 | √ | √a |
| Eicosatrienoic acid (ETE) | 11Z, 14Z, 17Z-eicosatrienoic acid | 20:3n-3; 20:3 Δ11,14,17 | ||
| Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA) | 8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosatetraenoic acid | 20:4n-3; 20:4 Δ8,11,14,17 | √ | |
| Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) | 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoic acid | 20:5n-3; 20:5 Δ5,8,11,14,17 | √ | |
| 22:5n-3; | √ | |||
| Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) | 7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z-docosapentaenoic acid | 22:5 Δ7,10,13,16,19 | ||
| Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) | 4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z-docosahexaenoic acid | 22:6n-3; 22:6Δ4,7,10,13,16,19 | √ | |
| OMEGA6 | ||||
| Linoleic acid (LA) | 9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid | 18:2n-6; 18:2 Δ9,12 | √ | √ |
| γ-Linolenic acid (GLA) | 6Z,9Z,12Z-octadecatrienoic acid | 18:3n-6; 18:3 Δ6,9,12 | √ | √a |
| Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) | 8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid | 20:3n-6; 20:3 Δ8,11,14 | √ | |
| Arachidonic acid (ARA) | 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid | 20:4n-6; 20:4 Δ5,8,11,14 | √ | |
| Adrenic acid (DTA) | 7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z-docosatetraenoic acid | 22:4n-6; 20:4 Δ7,10,13,16 | ||
| Docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-6) | 4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z-docosapentaenoic acid | 22:5n-6; 20:4 Δ4,7,10,13,16 | ||
aSome Boraginaceae such as Echium plantagineum contain SDA, although this species is not generally recognized as an oilseed crop species. GLA is found in a few seed oils, and those of evening primrose, borage, and blackcurrant have some commercial importance