PHILIPPINE THRAUSTOCHYTRID STRAINS ISOLATED FROM MINDANAO REVEALED HIGH IN OMEGA-3 COMPOUNDS By

Jose M. Oclarit, Monabel May Apao, Ajquizar T. Baser, Maetrese Arianne Beley, Alfand Marl F. Dy Closas, Karen Isabel T. Liao, and Lois Agnes E. Lumontod Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Science, College of Science and Mathematics, MSU Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City

Forty-one (41) strains were collected and isolated from marine environments of Eastern, Northern and Western parts of Mindanao. Following aseptic procedures samples were taken in situ and were brought to the laboratory for thorough isolation and purification of each distinct isolate. All isolates were grown in defined nutrients in both in seed and heterotrophic culture media. After thorough isolation, all isolates were screened for the presence of omega-3 fatty acids. First, cell were grown and incubated for five (5) days and cells were harvested for homogenization and consequently esterified ready for Gas Chromatographic analysis. Initial data showed hexadecanoic (16:0) acid as the most prevalent saturated fatty acid while docosahexaenoic acid is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid with Docosapentaenoic acid and Docosatetraenoic acids as other principal PUFAs. The percentages of DHA relative to the total fatty acids were high at a range of 24 to 43%. Isolates coded as BAL 27S, MJD 25S, MOR 15T, and TTU 23S have about 40% or higher. Such percentage concentration can be considered as relatively very high considering that the traditional fish source can only yield up to 15% of the total lipids extracted from the body. This is a record breakthrough along this field of research.