It is amusing how simple natural processes can be described using fashionable terms in order to pander to various constituencies.

"We have shown that it is possible to use the crude glycerol byproduct from the biodiesel industry as a carbon source for microalgae that produce omega-3 fatty acids" . . .

After growing the algae in the crude glycerol, researchers can use it as an animal feed. This mimics a process in nature in which fish, the most common source of omega-3 fatty acid for humans, eat the algae and then retain the healthful compounds in their bodies. Humans who consume the fish in turn consume the omega 3s. Fish-derived products such as fish oil are an inexpensive alternative, but the taste has deterred widespread use.

Wen has partnered with Steven Craig, senior research scientist at Virginia Cobia Farms, to use crude glycerol-derived algae as a fish feed. "The results so far have been promising," Wen said. "The fish fed the algae had significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids."

So, when fish eat their natural diet of greens such as algae they are healthy and good to eat, unlike farmed fishes that are raised on grain. The same is true for farmed animals that are fed grain rather than their natural diet of greens.

But the claim that fish is the most common source of omega-3 fatty acid for humans is nonsense. Domestic grazed ruminants such as goats, cattle and sheep are more common and have good amounts of Omega-3.

He and Audrey McElroy, associate professor of animal and poultry sciences, are now trying to determine whether the algae would work as a chicken feed. Kumar Mallikarjunan, associate professor of biological systems engineering, is also working with Wen to determine the fate of omega 3s after they enter the food supply. Researchers do not yet know whether oxidation would have a major impact on omega-3 fatty acids stored in cheese, for example.

Chickens are omnivores that need a hot diet, just like like pigs and people. They can eat a little greens but higher energy and protein foods such as grain and meat (such as bugs) are required since chickens have inefficient digestive systems. They have a different evolutionary strategy than algae eating fish and grazing animals.

Some of the fishes most highly prized for oils don't eat algae, they eat little fishes that have eaten algae. In this way they concentrate the omega-3 fats. By analogy they could feed algae to bugs and then feed the bugs to chickens, and then feed the chickens to people.

As for oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids stored in cheese, I've read of tests by other researchers that show very high concentrations in cheeses made from grazed ruminant milk. It didn't say how old the cheese was or if it had been exposed to air for long periods. It seems like it's only a packaging issue in any case.