Nannochloropsis: Nutrients, What Research Shows and Safety
Nannochloropsis is a marine microalga rich in EPA omega-3. See which forms are sold, what the few human trials found, safety data, and its EU and US status.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Nannochloropsis is a group of tiny, single-celled marine algae. Several species are listed, including N. oculata, N. gaditana and N. oceanica. [8] It is grown for animal feed, for powders sold as a food or supplement, and for an oil rich in EPA, an omega-3 fat. [3] [8] This page keeps the dried whole powder apart from the extracted oil, and both apart from hype. DHA algal oil comes from other microalgae and has its own page: algal oil.
Read this first
- Most human evidence is for an EPA-rich oil or extract, not for the whole powder. We found no human trial of dried whole Nannochloropsis cells. Studies of the whole alga are in mice and rats. [4] [5]
- Most of the human studies we read involve one company. The authors of the trials and the cohort study list Qualitas Health, which makes the extract. [1] [2] [3] Independent trials were not found.
- The results are small and mixed. An EPA-rich extract raised blood EPA. In one 12-week trial it lowered VLDL cholesterol, but LDL, HDL and triglycerides did not change significantly. [1] [2] No trial tested heart attacks or other diseases.
- Quality is a gap. We did not find a source on metals, iodine or toxins in finished Nannochloropsis products. Ask for a third-party test report. [9]
- Medicines and surgery. We found no Nannochloropsis-specific interaction data. If you take blood thinners or have surgery planned, tell your clinician about any omega-3 product. Allergic reaction signs (trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat): call 911 or your local emergency number.
What is in it
No USDA entry for this food. USDA FoodData Central has no Nannochloropsis item, so there is no standard nutrient table. The composition below comes from the studies we read.| Item | What the source reports | Form |
|---|---|---|
| EPA | The oil used in a 2013 trial gave 1.5 g EPA and no DHA in the dose tested. [1] The commercial extract in a 2024 study has more than 25% EPA and no DHA. [3] | Oil or extract |
| Polar lipids | The extract has more than 15% polar lipids (fats bound to phospholipids and glycolipids). [3] The authors suggest this may help absorption. [1] [10] | Oil or extract |
| Protein | In mice fed ball-milled cells, protein use was similar to the control diet. [4] | Whole cells, mice |
| Carotenoids | A lab comparison notes carotenoids in microalgal oils. [7] No amounts were read. | Oil, lab |
Values vary with species, growing conditions and how the product is made. We did not read a per-serving table for the whole powder, so we do not give one.
What research says
| Health goal | What the sources found | Strength of evidence | What was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raising blood EPA | In 10 healthy young men, an algal oil raised plasma EPA more than krill oil after a high-fat meal, in a one-day crossover. [1] In a 12-week trial, the omega-3 index went from 4.96 to 5.75 on the extract. [2] | Promising but limited (blood markers only) | EPA-rich oil/extract; 10 men; 120 healthy adults |
| Blood cholesterol | VLDL cholesterol fell 25% and total cholesterol 3% versus placebo at 12 weeks. No significant change in LDL, HDL or triglycerides. [2] | Mixed (one trial, company-linked) | Extract, 1 g a day (250 mg EPA) |
| Triglycerides | In an uncontrolled cohort, triglycerides fell 8.0% at 3 months and 14.2% at 6 months. [3] The controlled trial found no significant change. [2] | Insufficient evidence | Extract, 1,000 to 1,100 mg a day; no control group |
| Heart attack, stroke, brain health | Proper evidence not found in the sources we read | No good evidence of benefit found | Not applicable |
| Whole powder as food | Mice ate diets with 5% to 25% algae for 14 days with normal growth and no organ toxicity. [4] | Lab or animal only | Ball-milled cells, mice |
The 2020 trial was read through a news report of the paper. The paper itself did not load, so group sizes and the funding statement are not confirmed. [2]
Eaten as whole powder vs taken as oil or extract. The human work we found used an extracted oil. Powder is a different product with a different mix of fats, protein and fiber. Nothing in the trials tells you what the powder does in people. [4] Reviews of algae in human nutrition call the evidence mixed and mostly small and short-term. [9]
How much is a normal serving
There is no official serving for Nannochloropsis, and no US or EU recommended amount. The trials used 1 g of extract a day (250 mg EPA) [2] and 1,000 to 1,100 mg a day for six months in a cohort. [3] A 2026 trade article reports that an EU application asks for a maximum of 1,250 mg of oil a day, equal to 312 mg EPA. [8] That is a proposal in an application, not an approved level, and none of this is a prescription. Follow the label and ask your clinician.Safety, allergy and medicines
- Animal safety data exist. Rats given the alga by mouth for 14 days showed no treatment-related harm. [5] The EPA-rich oil showed no harm in 14-day and 90-day rat studies at up to 2,000 mg/kg a day, and tests for gene damage were negative. [6] The authors are linked to the oil maker, and rats are not people.
- Human safety. No long-term human safety study found. The trials we read did not describe serious problems, but they were short and company-linked. [1] [2] [3]
- Contaminants. Proper evidence not found in the sources we read on arsenic, cadmium, iodine or toxins in Nannochloropsis products. See heavy metals and contaminants in foods. Iodine matters for people with thyroid disease; see iodine.
- Omega-3 and bleeding. No Nannochloropsis-specific data found. See fish oil and blood thinners, bleeding risk and surgery for general omega-3 cautions.
- Allergy. We did not find a source on allergy to Nannochloropsis. Stop and seek care for hives, swelling or trouble breathing; call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children. Proper evidence not found. Ask a clinician.
Choosing, storing and food safety
- A 2026 trade article says Nannochloropsis as a food ingredient needs EU novel food authorization, and that an application for N. oculata oil (NF 2022-12550) was still being evaluated by EFSA. [8] We could not confirm this on EFSA's own register.
- We did not find a US FDA GRAS notice for Nannochloropsis in our search.
- Look for the species, the part (powder or oil), EPA per serving, and a third-party test report. Oils made from microalgae can be fairly stable on storage in lab tests. [7]
Related pages
Health connections for Nannochloropsis
What research links to eating or drinking this food, and how strong the evidence is. Many studies are observational or use juice, powder, oil or extracts rather than the food as eaten; each card says which.
Nannochloropsis oil and blood EPA (omega-3)
Preliminary or mixedIn healthy young men, a single dose of Nannochloropsis oculata oil raised blood EPA more than krill oil. In a 3-month trial the omega-3 index went up. These tested an EPA-rich oil or extract, not the whole powder.
Supplements: A blood marker rose; no disease outcome was tested. Company-linked authors in the studies we read.
Nannochloropsis extract and blood cholesterol
Preliminary or mixedOne 12-week placebo-controlled trial of an EPA-rich extract found lower VLDL cholesterol and a small fall in total cholesterol, but no significant change in LDL, HDL or triglycerides. A later uncontrolled cohort reported falling triglycerides.
Supplements: Single product, short, industry-linked; the cohort had no control group.
Whole-cell Nannochloropsis powder: human evidence
Lab or animal research onlyWe found no human trial of dried whole Nannochloropsis cells. Mouse feeding work found good protein use and no organ toxicity.
Supplements: Animal evidence only for the whole powder.
Safety data on Nannochloropsis oculata
Lab or animal research onlyRat studies of the algae (14 days) and of the EPA-rich oil (14 and 90 days) found no treatment-related harm. The authors are linked to the company that makes the oil.
Supplements: No long-term human safety trial found.
EU and US regulatory status
Not enough evidenceThe EU novel food route applies to Nannochloropsis as a food ingredient. An application for N. oculata oil was under EFSA review in 2026. We did not find a US GRAS notice.
Supplements: Not verified against EFSA or FDA registers.
Nannochloropsis versus algal DHA oil
Not enough evidenceThis alga makes EPA, not DHA. Algal DHA oil from other microalgae is covered on the algal oil page.
Supplements: Choose by the fatty acid you want.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Cholesterol BalancePreliminary or mixed
One company-linked 12-week trial of an EPA-rich extract found lower VLDL and a small fall in total cholesterol, with no significant LDL change. Not enough to say it helps.
Biomarkers (1)
- Omega-3 IndexPreliminary or mixed
In one trial the omega-3 index rose from 4.96 to 5.75 on an EPA-rich extract. A blood marker, tested on a company product.
Documented risks and interactions (2)
- Quality, contaminants and iodine of Nannochloropsis products. Proper evidence not found in the sources we read on metals, iodine or toxins in finished Nannochloropsis products. Microalgae products vary by grower and process.
- Omega-3 and blood thinners or surgery. We found no Nannochloropsis-specific interaction data. EPA oils in general are covered on the site's omega-3 safety pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nannochloropsis a good source of omega-3?
It makes EPA, not DHA. An extract raised blood EPA in the human studies we read, but most come from one company. [1] [2] [3]
Does Nannochloropsis lower cholesterol?
One 12-week trial found lower VLDL and a small fall in total cholesterol, with no significant LDL change. It was a single company-linked trial, so the evidence is weak. [2]
Is Nannochloropsis the same as algal oil?
No. Algal DHA oil comes from other microalgae. Nannochloropsis oil is rich in EPA. See algal oil. [1]
Is it approved as a food?
In the EU it needs novel food authorization, and an oil application was pending in 2026 according to a trade article. [8] We found no US GRAS notice.
Is it safe?
Animal studies found no harm. Long-term human safety data were not found. Check with a clinician if you take blood thinners. [5] [6]
References
- Kagan ML, West AL, Zante C, Calder PC. Acute appearance of fatty acids in human plasma: Nannochloropsis oculata oil vs krill oil. Lipids Health Dis. 2013. Read 2026-10-24 (abstract record).
- NutraIngredients. EPA-rich microalgal oil may slash cholesterol levels in healthy individuals: RCT. 2020 (report on Rao et al., Nutrients 2020;12:1869). Read 2026-10-24.
- Ganuza E et al. AlmegaPL Nannochloropsis extract and blood lipids: post-market cohort. Front Nutr. 2024. Read 2026-10-24 (abstract record).
- Neumann U et al. Bioavailability and safety of nutrients from Chlorella, Nannochloropsis oceanica and Phaeodactylum in mice. Nutrients. 2018. Read 2026-10-24 (abstract record).
- Kagan ML, Matulka RA. Safety assessment of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata. Toxicol Rep. 2015. Read 2026-10-24 (abstract record).
- Kagan ML et al. Safety assessment of EPA-rich polar lipid oil from Nannochloropsis oculata. Int J Toxicol. 2014. Read 2026-10-24 (abstract record).
- Ryckebosch E et al. Nutritional evaluation of microalgae oils rich in omega-3 LC-PUFA. Food Chem. 2014; and Ryckebosch E et al., J Agric Food Chem 2013 (stability). Read 2026-10-24 (abstract records).
- FoodTimes. Nannochloropsis as a nutraceutical ingredient. April 2026 (trade article, not an official source). Read 2026-10-24.
- Wang Z, Scherbinek M, Skurk T. Algae and algal protein in human nutrition. Nutrients. 2026. Read 2026-10-24 (abstract record).
- Kagan ML, Levy A, Leikin-Frenkel A. Tissue deposition of omega-3 from Nannochloropsis oculata oil vs krill oil in rats. Food Funct. 2015. Read 2026-10-24 (abstract record).