Edible oils from microalgae: insights in TAG accumulation

• Microalgal lipids are a promising source of sustainable edible oils.
• Improving TAG productivity and TAG content is necessary for economical production.
• Proper understanding of lipid metabolism in oleaginous microalgae is required.
• Process and strain optimization for TAG production should be a complementary approach.

Microalgae are a promising future source for sustainable edible oils. To make microalgal oil a cost-effective alternative for common vegetable oils, increasing TAG productivity and TAG content are of high importance. Fulfilling these targets requires proper understanding of lipid metabolism in microalgae. Here, we provide an overview of our current knowledge on the biology of TAG accumulation as well as the latest developments and future directions for increasing oil production in microalgae, considering both metabolic engineering techniques and cultivation strategies.