A new mutation of algae may lower blood pressure and cholesterol and thereby reduce the risk of heart attacks

"Fatty acids from the omega-6 family, including DGLA," says Prof. HaCohen, "are necessary in the body as components of brain cell membranes and are nutritionally important in preventing diseases and various phenomena"

A team of researchers at the Algae Biotechnology Laboratory at the Blaustein Desert Research Institute of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, led by Prof. Zvi HaCohen, is testing a mutation of an alga that contains 15% of an acid called DGLA by dry weight (compared to 0.4% in other algae). This mutation is the only plant source of DGLA acid, which may lower blood pressure and cholesterol and thereby reduce the risk of heart attacks. Also, this acid has a positive effect in the treatment of chronic inflammations and vascular diseases.

"Fatty acids from the Omega 6 family" says Prof. HaCohen "are necessary in the body as components of brain cell membranes and are nutritionally important in preventing diseases and various phenomena. DGLA is one of the acids from this family, which appears in nature as an intermediate in the production of other substances and does not accumulate to a significant concentration. Because of this, there is currently no source for the production of the acid and as a result almost no clinical research has been carried out on the subject, even though its positive effects are known.

Prof. HaCohen's research team includes Prof. Sami Bosiva, Prof. Avigad Wanshek, Dr. Ina Huzin Goldberg and research student Pushkar Shrestha.