n-Propyl gallate is an antioxidant for oils and fats that is used in foods, cosmetics, adhesives, and industrial lubricants. In 1983, M. A. Augustin and S. K. Berry were among the first researchers to study its antioxidant effectiveness. Recently, A. K. Franz and co-workers at the University of California, Davis, discovered a new property of n-prolyl gallate: It enhances the ability of microalgae to produce triacylglycerols. This finding may make it practical to use algae-derived lipids as biofuels.