ω-3脂肪酸是一类包括二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）、二十碳五烯酸（EPA）和α-亚麻酸（ALA）在内的必需多不饱和脂肪酸，具有多样的健康益处。由于饮食DHA的转化有限，需要通过摄取食物补充。ω-3脂肪酸具有抗心律失常和抗炎能力，有助于心血管健康。此外，DHA的摄入与视力、大脑和记忆发育的改善有关。此外，ω-3脂肪酸还可以保护免受各种健康问题的困扰，如乳糜泻病、老年痴呆病、高血压、血栓、心脏病、抑郁症、糖尿病和某些癌症。鳞片鱼类油仍然是ω-3脂肪酸的主要来源，但全球人口的负担造成了供需缺口。因此，研究人员已经探索了包括微生物系统在内的替代来源以生产ω-3脂肪酸。微生物来源，特别是油脂产量高的放线菌、Nannochloropsis等微藻和海藻宇默多细胞在微生物系统中存储的脂类可以达到其干重的50%。微生物产生ω-3脂肪酸是满足全球需求的潜在解决方案，因为这些微生物可以利用包括有机废弃物在内的各种碳源。ω-3脂肪酸的生物合成包括有氧和厌氧途径，细菌聚酮特异和PKS样PUFA合酶是关键的酶复合物。物理化学参数的优化，如碳源、氮源、pH、温度和盐度，在微生物系统中最大限度地提高DHA产量起着至关重要的作用。总体而言，微生物来源在满足全球对ω-3脂肪酸需求方面具有重要潜力，为增强人类健康提供了高效可持续的解决方案。© 2023. 作者（s），独家许可Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany和Springer Nature的一部分。

Omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and α-linolenic acid (ALA), are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids with diverse health benefits. The limited conversion of dietary DHA necessitates its consumption as food supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-arrhythmic and anti-inflammatory capabilities, contributing to cardiovascular health. Additionally, DHA consumption is linked to improved vision, brain, and memory development. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids offer protection against various health conditions, such as celiac disease, Alzheimer's, hypertension, thrombosis, heart diseases, depression, diabetes, and certain cancers. Fish oil from pelagic cold-water fish remains the primary source of omega-3 fatty acids, but the global population burden creates a demand-supply gap. Thus, researchers have explored alternative sources, including microbial systems, for omega-3 production. Microbial sources, particularly oleaginous actinomycetes, microalgae like Nannochloropsis and among microbial systems, Thraustochytrids stand out as they can store up to 50% of their dry weight in lipids. The microbial production of omega-3 fatty acids is a potential solution to meet the global demand, as these microorganisms can utilize various carbon sources, including organic waste. The biosynthesis of omega-3 fatty acids involves both aerobic and anaerobic pathways, with bacterial polyketide and PKS-like PUFA synthase as essential enzymatic complexes. Optimization of physicochemical parameters, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, temperature, and salinity, plays a crucial role in maximizing DHA production in microbial systems. Overall, microbial sources hold significant promise in meeting the global demand for omega-3 fatty acids, offering an efficient and sustainable solution for enhancing human health.© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.