Review on the Toxicology of DHA Algal Oil

DHA algal oil is using Schizochytrium sp. or Ulkenia amoeboida or Crypthecodinium Cohnii as raw materials,through biological fermentation,extraction,winterization,refining,decolorization,deodorization and other processes to produce. DHA is essential for the development of intelligence and vision for human. Because human body can’t synthesize this fatty acid directly,we need to intake it by eating fish oil or algae oil. Compared with fish oil,DHA algal oil has many advantages,such as higher DHA contents,no heavy metal pollution,lower EPA contents,safe and easy to absorb. At present,it is widely used in formula milk powder,health food and other products. But in the process of DHA fermentation,in addition to the production of DHA,DPA and other important nutrients,it also increases the safety risk. Therefore,it is necessary to carry out toxicological evaluation of DHA algal oil and determine its maximum daily safe dose. In this paper,the current literatures on the acute,subacute,subchronic,chronic,reproductive and clinical toxicology of DHA algal oil are summarized and evaluated. A large number of preclinical animal and clinical human toxicology experiments showes that DHA algal oil from three algal sources have no toxicity under the dose range of 20700 mg/kg/BW. DHA algal oil have no adverse effect on human body at the maximum dose of 6000 mg/d. Adds DHA does not significantly affect infant growth. When DHA algal oil is used as food raw material,in the storage,transportation and storage process,it is necessary to add appropriate antioxidants(ascorbyl palmitate and vitamin E)to ensure the functionality and safety of the raw material. The results of this paper provides a data basis for the regulatory authorities and the corresponding manufacturers to formulate and recommend the daily use of DHA algal oil.