Marine macroalgae represents a sustainable and resilient bioresource with untapped opportunities for innovation in both nutritional enhancement and blue-biotechnological solutions. Macroalgae are acknowledged as a reservoir of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with a known role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, despite their nutritional and health relevance, the comprehensive elucidation of the complex structure-bioactivity-functionality relationship in algae lipids is not well understood hampering their exploitation.
This project will investigate the structural diversity of algae lipids, their physico-chemical properties and stability as natural components for food and blue-biotechnological applications.
The project will require a literature review, lipid extraction methodology development, and advanced chromatography and spectrometric techniques.
The project is aligned to UN's SGD:
