Crypthecodinium cohnii

Crypthecodinium cohnii is a navy, red microalgae, which is also known by its basionym Gyrodinium cohnii Seligo. The microalgae is part of the sub-tribe of the dinoflagellates. These eukaryotic unicellular organisms are characterized by the presence of flagella. Unlike most algae Crypthecodinium cohnii gains its power not through photosynthesis but heterotrophs is why it is often found on rotting seaweed. For experimental purposes, the media can be used with additives such as glucose, synthetic sea salt and yeast extracts.

Secondary metabolites

Docosahexaneoic

Crypthecodinium cohnii was identified as a unified organism production of DHA ( docosahexaenoic acid). DHA is a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and one of the omega- 3 fatty acids. The interest in this fatty acid has risen steadily in recent years, since it serves to prevent and also partly for the treatment of diseases such as arthritis, thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, and various cancers. Omega -3 fatty acids are found primarily in fish oil, which is added as an additive to foods. However, the fish oil has the great disadvantage that it can change the taste of food by the typical unpleasant fishy odor. DHA is therefore a good alternative as a dietary supplement.

DHA is present in breast milk and affect the visual and neurological development of infants, which is why DHA is often added to infant formulas.

Brevetoxin A

The brevetoxin A is one of the toxins, which lead to shellfish poisoning. Together with other polyethers they are the cause of an increase in algae dying. Brevetoxin A are used in laboratory experiments for the study of ion channels.

This poison is produced by red dinoflagellates, but Crypthecodinium cohnii is not specifically mentioned.