Production Of Essential Fatty Acids Research Articles

Marine microalgae Schizochytrium demonstrates strong production of essential fatty acids in various cultivation conditions, advancing dietary self-sufficiency

IntroductionPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients that humans obtain from their diet, primarily through fish oil consumption. However, fish oil production is no longer sustainable. An alternative approach is to produce PUFAs through marine microalgae. Despite the potential of algae strains to accumulate high concentrations of PUFAs, including essential fatty acids (EFAs), many aspects of PUFA production by microalgae remain unexplored and their current production outputs are frequently suboptimal.MethodsIn this study, we optimized biomass and selected ω-3 PUFAs production in two strains of algae, Schizochytrium marinum AN-4 and Schizochytrium limacinum CO3H. We examined a broad range of cultivation conditions, including pH, temperature, stirring intensity, nutrient concentrations, and their combinations.ResultsWe found that both strains grew well at low pH levels (4.5), which could reduce bacterial contamination and facilitate the use of industrial waste products as substrate supplements. Intensive stirring was necessary for rapid biomass accumulation but caused cell disruption during lipid accumulation. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) yield was independent of cultivation temperature within a range of 28–34°C. We also achieved high cell densities (up to 9 g/L) and stable DHA production (average around 0.1 g/L/d) under diverse conditions and nutrient concentrations, with minimal nutrients required for stable production including standard sea salt, glucose or glycerol, and yeast extract.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate the potential of Schizochytrium strains to boost industrial-scale PUFA production and make it more economically viable. Additionally, these results may pave the way for smaller-scale production of essential fatty acids in a domestic setting. The development of a new minimal culturing medium with reduced ionic strength and antibacterial pH could further enhance the feasibility of this approach.

HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL DECREASES ENDOGENOUS BIOSYNTHESIS OF ENERGY FATTY ACIDS AND INCREASES ENDOGENOUS BIOSYNTHESIS OF ω-3 LONG-CHAIN PUFA

The work shows that Fatty acids of dietary fats provide two main functions in the human and animal body: energy and structural-regulatory, Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are the basis of membrane lipids of all cells of the body The structure and functional activity of cells, their resistance to pathogenic factors depends on the ratio of ω-6 / ω-3 PUFA. Аdherence to recommended metabolic energy reserves in poultry feed is essential to optimize feed costs. The use of oils or fats is a common economic practice in modern poultry production. Energy functions are carried out due to the oxidation of energy fatty acids in mitochondria, which include, first of all, palmitic (С16:0), palmitooleic (С16:0), stearic (С18:1) and oleic (С18:1). In addition to providing energy, edible oil can also enhance dietary palatability, reduce dustiness, and increase lipoprotein hydrolysis to promote the production of essential fatty acids. Adipose tissue should be considered not only as a source of various fatty acids, but also as an important endocrine organ that takes an active part in the activity of the immune system. To determine the effect of a diet with high oleic sunflower oil on the content of energy fatty acids (EFA) and long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) in rat liver lipids. We used high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) containing 85.5% oleic acid. The rats were fed a fat-free diet (FFD) and diets with 5 or 15% HOSO for 35 days. Lipids were extracted from the liver and separated into three fractions: neutral lipids (NL), phospholipids (PL) and free fatty acids (FFA). The fatty acid composition of lipid fractions was determined by gas chromatography. FFA are the sum of the following acids:С16:0, С16:1, С18:0, С18:1andС18:2. LCPUFA are presented С20:4 ω-6, С20:5 ω-3, С22:5 ω-3and С22:6 ω-3. Most of all, EFA is contained in the NL fraction (89%), then in the PL fraction (79%), and least of all in the FFA fraction (68%). LCPUFA is found most of all in the FFA fraction (20%), then in the PL fraction (13%), and least of all in the NL fraction (2%). In rats that received fat diets, the content of EFA increased in the NL fraction by 2-3%, in the FFA fraction by 5-8%, and did not change in the PL fraction. The content of LCPUFA ω-6 (arachidonic acid) with fat nutrition dose-dependently decreases in the fraction of NL and FFA and does not change in the fraction of PL. On the contrary, the content of ω-3 LCPUFA increases in rats treated with HOSO in all lipid fractions. Also, the ω-6/ω-3 LCPUFA ratio is significantly reduced in rats treated with HOSO. Consumption of HOSO stimulates endogenous biosynthesis of ω-3 LCPUFA.

Fatty acids in microalgae and cyanobacteria in a changing world: Contrasting temperate and cold environments

Under the present changing climate conditions and the observed temperature increase, it is of high importance to understand its effects on aquatic microbial life, and organisms’ adaptations at the biochemical level. To adjust to temperature or salinity stress and avoid cell damage, organisms alter their degree of fatty acids (FAs) saturation. Thus, temperature is expected to have strong effects on both the quantity and quality of FAs in aquatic microorganisms. Here we review some recent findings about FAs sensitivity to climate change in contrasting environments. Overall, heat waves may induce changes in the relative abundance of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA). However, the impact of the exposure to warming waters is different in temperate and polar environments. In cold marine waters, high concentration of omega-3 (ω3) FAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is promoted due to the activation of the desaturase enzyme. In this way, cells have enough energy to produce or activate antioxidant protection mechanisms and avoid oxidative stress due to heat waves. Contrastingly, under high irradiance and heat wave conditions in temperate environments, photosystems’ protection is achieved by decreasing EPA concentration due to desaturase sensitivity. Essential FAs are transferred in aquatic food webs. Therefore, any alteration in the production of essential FAs by phytoplankton (the main source of ω3) due to climate warming can be transferred to higher trophic levels, with cascading effects for the entire aquatic ecosystem.

Correcting iron deficiency anemia with iron dextran alters the serum metabolomic profile of the infant Rhesus Monkey

The effects of infantile iron deficiency anemia (IDA) extend beyond hematological indices and include short- and long-term adverse effects on multiple cells and tissues. IDA is associated with an abnormal serum metabolomic profile, characterized by altered hepatic metabolism, lowered NAD flux, increased nucleoside levels, and a reduction in circulating dopamine levels. The objective of this study was to determine whether the serum metabolomic profile is normalized after rapid correction of IDA using iron dextran injections. Blood was collected from iron-sufficient (IS; n=10) and IDA (n=12) rhesus infants at 6 months of age. IDA infants were then administered iron dextran and vitamin B via intramuscular injections at weekly intervals for 2 to 8 weeks. Their hematological and metabolomic statuses were evaluated following treatment and compared with baseline and a separate group of age-matched IS infants (n=5). Serum metabolomic profiles assessed at baseline and after treatment via HPLC/MS using isobaric standards identified 654 quantifiable metabolites. At baseline, 53 metabolites differed between IS and IDA infants. Iron treatment restored traditional hematological indices, including hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume, into the normal range, but the metabolite profile in the IDA group after iron treatment was markedly altered, with 323 metabolites differentially expressed when compared with an infant's own baseline profile. Rapid correction of IDA with iron dextran resulted in extensive metabolic changes across biochemical pathways indexing the liver function, bile acid release, essential fatty acid production, nucleoside release, and several neurologically important metabolites. The results highlight the importance of a cautious approach when developing a route and regimen of iron repletion to treat infantile IDA.

Omega fatty acids production in an isolated native Chlorella sp. from northeast Mexico with improved growth using urine as nutritive medium

The production of essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, 9) from microalgae consortia and from Chlorella sp., using urine as a culture medium, was analyzed in this study. These microorganisms require a supply of nutrients and light to stimulate their growth; and through variations of these factors, it is possible to improve lipid synthesis, fundamental elements for the production of value-added products. The BG11 culture medium was replaced with a urine-based medium (MOB) to cultivate a microalgae of the genus Chlorella sp, native to the State of Nuevo Leon. The growth of the microalgae in MOB was increased when compared to its growth in BG11. An improvement was also observed in the production of fatty acids and proteins, where the cultivation of Chlorella sp. with the urine medium (MOB) showed an average production (%) of 17.22% saturated fatty acids (SUFA's), 22.03% of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA's) and 60.73% of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's), demonstrated also in the high concentrations of mainly linoleic and linoleic fatty acids in the microalgae. This work, shows that human urine as a culture medium, provides enough nutrients to increase the production of biomass and oils; therefore, the use of this organic residue as a nutritive medium can be considered a suitable source for the production of essential fatty acids

Effects of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Its Rapid Correction on the Serum Metabolomic Profile of Rhesus Infants.

To determine whether rapid correction of iron deficiency using intramuscular iron dextran normalizes serum metabolomic changes in a nonhuman primate model of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Blood was collected from naturally iron-sufficient (IS; n=10) and IDA (n=12) male and female infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) at 6 months of age. IDA infants were treated with intramuscular injections of iron dextran, 10mg/weekly for 4-8 weeks. Iron status was reevaluated following treatment using hematological measurements and sera were metabolically profiled using HPLC/MS with isobaric standards for identification and quantification. Early-life iron deficiency anemia negatively affects many cellular metabolic processes, including energy production, electron transport, and oxidative degradation of toxins. Slow iron repletion with dietary supplementation restores iron deficient monkeys from a hematological perspective, but the serum metabolomic profile remains differed from monkeys that had been iron sufficient their entire life. Whether rapid iron restoration through intramuscular injections of iron dextran normalizes serum metabolomic profile is not known. A total of 654 metabolites were measured with differences in 53 metabolites identified between IS and IDA monkeys at 6 months (P0.05). Pathway analyses provided evidence of altered liver function, hypometabolic state, differential essential fatty acid production, irregular inosine and guanosine metabolism, and atypical bile acid production in IDA infants. After treatment, iron-related hematological parameters had recovered, but the formerly IDA infants remained metabolically distinct from the IS infants, with 225 metabolites differentially expressed between the groups. As with slow iron repletion, rapid iron repletion does not normalize the altered serum metabolomic profile in rhesus infants with IDA, suggesting the need for iron supplementation in the pre-anemic stage. National Institutes of Health.

Early-Life Iron Deficiency and Its Natural Resolution Are Associated with Altered Serum Metabolomic Profiles in Infant Rhesus Monkeys

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in human infants aged 6 to 24 mo, and negatively affects many cellular metabolic processes, including energy production, electron transport, and oxidative degradation of toxins. There can be persistent influences on long-term metabolic health beyond its acute effects. The objective was to determine how iron deficiency in infancy alters the serum metabolomic profile and to test whether these effects persist after the resolution of iron deficiency in a nonhuman primate model of spontaneous iron deficiency. Blood was collected from naturally iron-sufficient (IS; n=10) and iron-deficient (ID; n=10) male and female infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) at 6 mo of age. Iron deficiency resolved without intervention upon feeding of solid foods, and iron status was re-evaluated at 12 mo of age from the IS and formerly ID monkeys using hematological and other indices; sera were metabolically profiled using HPLC/MS and GC/MS with isobaric standards for identification and quantification at both time points. A total of 413 metabolites were measured, with differences in 40 metabolites identified between IS and ID monkeys at 6 mo (P$\le $ 0.05). At 12 mo, iron-related hematological parameters had returned to normal, but the formerly ID infants remained metabolically distinct from the age-matched IS infants, with 48 metabolites differentially expressed between the groups. Metabolomic profiling indicated altered liver metabolites, differential fatty acid production, increased serum uridine release, and atypical bile acid production in the ID monkeys. Pathway analyses of serum metabolites provided evidence of a hypometabolic state, altered liver function, differential essential fatty acid production, irregular uracil metabolism, and atypical bile acid production in ID infants. Many metabolites remained altered after the resolution of ID, suggesting long-term effects on metabolic health.

Fatty acid synthesis by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in phosphorus limitation.

The importance of crucial nutrient factors like Phosphate (P) and their limited availability leads to variable fluctuations in fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis in the green alga. These fatty acids and phospholipids are an imperative byproduct of alga which used in biofuel production. The production of phospholipids in alga might be naturally enhanced by the optimized supplied by specific essential nutrient like Phosphate. In this study, green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was cultivated in phosphate stress condition to obtain maximum phospholipids. In the stress condition, the organism exhibited variable changes in chlorophyll, fatty acid, and phospholipid compositions. These parameters analyzed by biomass, X-ray, GC, and TLC. Remarkably, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated, and di-unsaturated fatty acids amounts, increases, while polyunsaturated fatty acids to decrease markedly. The maximum fatty acid content observed at 0.4 mgl-1 P content in growing media. A broad peak area of 56% of hexadecanoic acid (C 16:0) and followed by 28.8% linolenic (C18:3) was observed in GC analysis. These results indicate the essential fatty acid accumulation maximized at particular phosphate concentration in growing media. This necessary and essential fatty acid production from green algae in a sustainable manner is an inexpensive and excellent way for commercialization and biofuel production.

Δ12 fatty acid desaturase gene from Geotrichumcandidum in cheese: molecular cloning and functional characterization.

Soft cheese with white rind lacks essential fatty acids (EFAs), and as a result its long‐term consumption may lead to various kinds of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Geotrichum candidum is a dimorphic yeast that plays an important role in the ripening of mold cheese. A gene coding for Δ12 fatty acid desaturase, a critical bifunctional enzyme desaturating oleic acid (OA) and linoleic acid (LA) to produce LA and α‐linolenic acid (ALA), respectively, was isolated from G. candidum, and then cloned and heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This gene, named GcFADS12, had an open reading frame of 1257 bp and codes for a protein of 419 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 47.5 kDa. Characterization showed that GcFADS12 had the ability to convert OA to LA and LA to ALA, and the conversion rates for OA and LA were 20.40 ± 0.66% and 6.40 ± 0.57%, respectively. We also found that the protein product of GcFADS12 catalyzes the conversion of the intermediate product (LA) to ALA by addition of OA as the sole substrate. The catalytic activity of GcFADS12 on OA and LA was unaffected by fatty acid concentrations. Kinetic analysis revealed that GcFADS12 had stronger affinity for the OA than for the LA substrate. This study offers a solid basis for improving the production of EFAs by G. candidum in cheese.

Climate warming is predicted to reduce omega-3, long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acid production in phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton are the main source of energy and omega-3 (n-3) long-chain essential fatty acids (EFA) in aquatic ecosystems. Their growth and biochemical composition are affected by surrounding environmental conditions, including temperature, which continues to increase as a result of climate warming. Increasing water temperatures may negatively impact the production of EFA by phytoplankton through the process of homeoviscous adaptation. To investigate this, we conducted an exploratory data synthesis with 952 fatty acid (FA) profiles from six major groups of marine and freshwater phytoplankton. Temperature was strongly correlated with a decrease in the proportion of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated FA (LC-PUFA) and an increase in omega-6 FA and saturated FA. Based on linear regression models, we predict that global n-3 LC-PUFA production will be reduced by 8.2% for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 27.8% for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with an increase in water temperature of 2.5°C. Using a previously published estimate of the global production of EPA by diatoms, which contribute to most of the world's supply of EPA, we predict a loss of 14.2 Mt of EPA annually as a result of ocean warming. The n-3 LC-PUFA are vitally important for an array of key physiological functions in aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and these FA are mainly produced by phytoplankton. Therefore, reduced production of these EFA, as a consequence of climate warming, is predicted to negatively affect species that depend on these compounds for optimum physiological function. Such profound changes in the biochemical composition of phytoplankton cell membranes can lead to cascading effects throughout the world's ecosystems.

Growing evening primroses (Oenothera).

The model plant Oenothera has contributed significantly to the biological sciences and it dominated the early development of plant genetics, cytogenetics, and evolutionary biology. The great advantage of using Oenothera as a model system is a large body of genetic, cytological, morphological, and ecological information collected over more than a century. The Oenothera system offers a well-studied taxonomy, population structure, and ecology. Cytogenetics and formal genetics at the population level are extensively developed, providing an excellent basis to study evolutionary questions. Further, Oenothera is grown as an oil seed crop for the production of essential fatty acids (gamma-linoleic acid) and is considered to be a medicinal plant due to its many pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites, such as ellagitannins. Although Oenothera has been cultivated as a laboratory organism since the end of the 19th century, there is a substantial lack of literature dealing with modern greenhouse techniques for the genus. This review compiles an overview about the growth requirements for the genus Oenothera, with a special focus on its genetically best-studied subsections Oenothera and Munzia. Requirements for greenhouse, field, and agronomic cultures are presented, together with information on substrate types, pest control, as well as vegetative and seed propagation, cross pollination, harvest, and seed storage. Particular aspects like germination, bolting, and flowering induction in taxonomically diverse material are reviewed. Methods recommended are supported by ecological and experimental data. An overview of the possibilities for wide hybridization and polyploidy induction in the genus is given. Germplasm resources are referenced. In summary, a comprehensive guideline for successful laboratory cultivation of Oenothera species is provided.

Characterization of Onosma bracteosum Hausskn. & Bornm. and Onosma thracicum Velen. Based on Fatty Acid Compositions and α-Tocopherol Contents of the Seed Oils

Turkey is one of the important centres of origin for genus Onosma ( Boraginaceae ) with about 95 species including 48 endemics (ca.50%). A very limited number of investigations for fatty acid patterns and α-­tocopherol contents of the seed oils were reported in this genus. Some differences were observed in total oil (18.8-24.0%) and α-tocopherol contents (1.66-46.03%) between species. Major unsaturated fatty acids were α-linolenic (38.70-41.05%), linoleic (16.13-18.38%) and oleic acids (11.86-12.96%) respectively. Palmitic (6.32­7.71%), E¤-linolenic (6.36-6.92%) and stearic (2.15-2.32%) acids showed considerable levels. Other fatty acid concentrations were at minor concentrations below 1 % of the seed oils. Total oil content in addition to oleic and α-linolenic acids quantified at higher levels in endemic O. bracteosum . The other fatty acids and α-tocopherol were observed at higher concentrations in O. thracicum . Some variations were examined in quantities, total percentages and the ratios of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as additional chemotaxonomic markers. Differences for whole series of fatty acids were not significant between species but, significantly difference was found based on six calculated ratios of the fatty acids (p<0.05). Investigated Onosma species could be evaluated as the alternative wild sources for the production of essential fatty acids (EFA) including α-linolenic (ω-3), linoleic and unusual E¤-linolenic (ω-6) acids.

Mechanism(s) of long chain n-3 essential fatty acid production in two species of heterotrophic protists: Oxyrrhis marina and Gyrodinium dominans

As intermediaries, some heterotrophic protists can enhance the content of the long chain n-3 essential fatty acids (LCn-3EFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), of low food quality algae for subsequent use at higher trophic levels. However, the mechanisms that produce LCn-3EFAs are presently unknown, although LCn-3EFA production by heterotrophic protists at the phytoplankton–zooplankton interface may potentially affect the nutritional status of the pelagic system. We investigated whether the heterotrophic protists, Oxyrrhis marina and Gyrodinium dominans, produce LCn-3EFAs via elongation and desaturation of dietary LCn-3EFA precursors and/or synthesize LCn-3EFAs de novo by: (1) feeding the two heterotrophic protists with a prey deficient in n-3 fatty acids, (2) incubating them in medium containing 13C-labeled sodium acetate, and (3) feeding the two protists gelatin acacia microspheres (GAMs) containing a deuterium-labeled LCn-3EFA precursor, linolenic acid [18:3(n-3)-d4]. Both O. marina and G. dominans synthesized EPA and DHA when fed the n-3 fatty acid-deficient prey, Perkinsus marinus, a parasitic protozoan. O. marina, but not G. dominans utilized 13C-labeled acetate from the medium to produce uniformly labeled fatty acids, including DHA. Both heterotroph species consumed GAMs containing 18:3(n-3)-d4 and catabolized 18:3(n-3)-d4 to 16:3(n-3)-d4 and 14:3(n-3)-d4, while no 20 or 22 carbon metabolites of 18:3(n-3)-d4 were detected. These results suggest that O. marina and G. dominans do not elongate and desaturate dietary LCn-3EFA precursors to produce LCn-3EFAs, but rather they produce LCn-3EFAs de novo, possibly via a polyketide synthesis pathway.

Implications for the use of Mortierella fungi in the industrial production of essential fatty acids

Research has shown that essential fatty acids (EFAs) are integral to proper nutrition. It has been found that EFA deficiency causes a host of ailments in animals, including humans. In addition, research has also shown that EFAs can reverse, as well as prevent, some human disorders and diseases. Current sources of EFAs have relatively low EFA contents and the oil extraction process is fairly costly considering the yields. As a result, there has been a marked increase in research targeted at finding alternate sources of EFAs that have higher yields and that are relatively inexpensive to produce on an industrial scale. Recent research has focused on the use of various moulds as potential producers of EFAs. Species belonging to the fungal genus Mortierella have attracted notable attention within this research area due to their potential as lipid producers and the fact that a significant portion of the fungal lipid contains EFAs. Research has also shown that the relative amounts of these EFAs can vary dramatically both between and within Mortierella species. A number of factors have been found to affect both the fatty acid compositions and the percentage of lipid bodies found in these fungi, which imply that the lipid composition of these moulds can be manipulated in order to obtain the fatty acids of interest in potentially large percentages. However, the optimization of these variables has yet to be achieved and the task is complicated by the fact that different species demonstrate varying optimization conditions. Consequently, more research must be done with regards to the optimization of these variables for industrial EFA production. This review paper provides a general introduction to the production of lipids from alternative sources and focuses on the production of EFAs in fungi belonging to the Mortierella genus.