Use of Microbial SCOs

SCOs are interesting intermediates for several industrial applications. Due to their chemical functionality available in their structure, they are excellent bioresources for the production of detergents, biopolymers, and other oleochemi-cals [32]. Because of their high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, SCOs are suited for high-value products in the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industry [33]. Gamma Unolertic acid (GLA, 18 3(n-6)), for example, is an (06 fatty acid with anticancerous and anti-inflammatory properties and can, therefore, be used as dietary supplement for treating problems with inflammation and autoimmune diseases. 

Another example is docosahexanoic add (DHA), an co3-fatty add, which is found in fish oil and known to reduce the risk of heart diseases. Most of DHA in fish arises from photosynthetic and heterotrophic microalgae, which represents the start of the food chain. Therefore microalgae are suitable producer for such kinds of fatty acids. 

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