Extraction and purification of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from microalgae: A critical review

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) products have been widely applied due to their medical and healthcare value. In this paper, the methods for extracting DHA and EPA from microalgae and related purification methods were summarized and analyzed. The yields of DHA and EPA from different species of microalgae were investigated. The optimal extraction and purification methods and microalgae species that are suitable for the extraction of EPA and DHA products were determined. Currently, organic solvents are extensively used to extract oil from microalgal biomasses. The supercritical fluid extraction technique is an ideal method for lipid extraction. Based on the findings presented in this paper, a combination of multiple methods is a better choice to extract and purify EPA and DHA from microalgae.