Orange Peel Extract Boosts Omega-3 (EPA) Production in Algae Cultures
This laboratory study explored whether orange peel extract, a byproduct of citrus processing, could be used as a low-cost nutrient source for growing microalgae that naturally produce the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
Researchers added different amounts of orange peel extract to the algae’s growth medium. At a 5% concentration, the algae produced more total fatty acids (rising from about 24% to nearly 31% of biomass) and more EPA specifically (increasing from 6.4% to 9.8%). A 10% concentration helped preserve the algae’s natural pigmentation and significantly boosted the culture’s antioxidant capacity.
However, at the highest concentrations tested, the orange peel extract appeared to stress the algae, reducing overall biomass growth and shifting the lipid profile. The researchers used infrared spectroscopy to confirm that these changes were linked to broader shifts in the algae’s protein and biochemical makeup.
What this means for you
This is early-stage, algae-focused research, not a human or supplement study. It suggests that citrus waste could someday be used as an inexpensive, sustainable way to grow algae with higher EPA and antioxidant content, which may be relevant to how omega-3 supplements are produced in the future—but it does not tell us anything about effects in people.
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Biotech (Basel (Switzerland)) · 2026-08-07 · DOI: 10.3390/biotech15030065
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.