Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing algae-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising the steps of a) contacting dry algae with ethanol; b) removing ethanol to obtain crude oil; c) subjecting the crude oil to a transesterification reaction with a lower alcohol to generate fatty acid alkyl esters; d) extracting the fatty acid alkyl esters to result in a phase containing fatty acid alkyl esters; e) collecting the phase containing fatty acid alkyl esters; and f) contacting the collected phase with silica gel. Also disclosed is a method for effectively removing impurities, including chlorophyll, fucoxanthin and beta-carotene, from crude algal fatty acid alkyl esters, comprising contacting the crude algal fatty acid alkyl esters with silica gel in hexane.