Recycling of lipid-extracted hydrolysate as nitrogen supplementation for production of thraustochytrid biomass

Turning waste into treasure: A new direction for low-cost production of lipid chemicals from Thraustochytrids

Thraustochytrids are marine microorganisms known for their fast growth and ability to store lipids, making them useful for producing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), biodiesel, squalene, and carotenoids. However, the high cost of production, mainly due to expensive fermentation components, limits their wider use. A significant challenge in this context is the need to balance production costs with the value of the end products. This review focuses on integrating the efficient utilization of waste with Thraustochytrids fermentation, including the economic substitution of carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and fermentation water. This approach aligns with the 3Rs principles (reduction, recycling, and reuse). Furthermore, it emphasizes the role of Thraustochytrids in converting waste into lipid chemicals and promoting sustainable circular production models. The aim of this review is to emphasize the value of Thraustochytrids in converting waste into treasure, providing precise cost reduction strategies for future commercial production.

Oleaginous Microbial Lipids' Potential in the Prevention and Treatment of Neurological Disorders

The products of oleaginous microbes, primarily lipids, have gained tremendous attention for their health benefits in food-based applications as supplements. However, this emerging biotechnology also offers a neuroprotective treatment/management potential for various diseases that are seldom discussed. Essential fatty acids, such as DHA, are known to make up the majority of brain phospholipid membranes and are integral to cognitive function, which forms an important defense against Alzheimer's disease. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have also been shown to reduce recurrent epilepsy seizures and have been used in brain cancer therapies. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 PUFAs is essential in maintaining physiological function. Furthermore, lipids have also been employed as an effective vehicle to deliver drugs for the treatment of diseases. Lipid nanoparticle technology, used in pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals, has recently emerged as a biocompatible, biodegradable, low-toxicity, and high-stability means for drug delivery to address the drawbacks associated with traditional medicine delivery methods. This review aims to highlight the dual benefit that lipids offer in maintaining good health for disease prevention and in the treatment of neurological diseases.

Carbon dioxide fixation and lipid storage of Scenedesmus sp. ASK22: A sustainable approach for biofuel production and waste remediation

In this study, an airlift reactor (ALR) has been employed to evaluate the carbon dioxide fixation rate (Rc) and lipid yield (LY) of unicellular green microalgae Scenedesmus sp. ASK22, using dairy effluent as a biofuel feedstock. Independent process parameters (PPs) such as light intensity, CO₂ concentration, and aeration rate and their effect on R_c and LY were revealed. The central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the PPs. The best-operating conditions were measured as light intensity -6.24 Klux, CO₂ concentration -14.03% (v v^-1), and aeration rate -1.02 liter per minute (LPM). Under these conditions, LY and Rc were found to be 4.22 gL^-1 and 1.27 gL^-1d^-1 which were 2.24- and 1.94-fold higher than the value obtained in the control experiment (1.88 gL^-1 and 0.656 gL^-1d^-1) at the end of 12th day. The corresponding values for bioremediation of nitrate, phosphate, as well as chemical oxygen demand (COD), remained within 98-100%. The biochemical, CHN, thermogravimetric, and fatty acid analysis of Scenedesmus sp. ASK22 biomass and lipid confirmed their potential as a clean biofuel feedstock. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of lipid-extracted microalgae biomass (LEMB) was carried out suggesting that LEMB could be used as a high-quality cattle and fish feed, fertilizers, and a sustainable source for biogas, bioethanol, and bio-oils. In addition to improving the developed system's efficiency, a semi-continuous regime was implemented which resulted in biomass productivity of 1.89 gL^-1d^-1 which was 2.6-fold higher than the batch cultivation without hampering lipid productivity (0.377 gL^-1d^-1). The present results suggest that Scenedesmus sp. ASK22 is a potential candidate for CO₂ sequestration from atmosphere/flue gas, biofuel production (biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, biobutanol, etc.), and waste remediation.

Production, Biosynthesis, and Commercial Applications of Fatty Acids From Oleaginous Fungi

Oleaginous fungi (including fungus-like protists) are attractive in lipid production due to their short growth cycle, large biomass and high yield of lipids. Some typical oleaginous fungi including Galactomyces geotrichum, Thraustochytrids, Mortierella isabellina, and Mucor circinelloides, have been well studied for the ability to accumulate fatty acids with commercial application. Here, we review recent progress toward fermentation, extraction, of fungal fatty acids. To reduce cost of the fatty acids, fatty acid productions from raw materials were also summarized. Then, the synthesis mechanism of fatty acids was introduced. We also review recent studies of the metabolic engineering strategies have been developed as efficient tools in oleaginous fungi to overcome the biochemical limit and to improve production efficiency of the special fatty acids. It also can be predictable that metabolic engineering can further enhance biosynthesis of fatty acids and change the storage mode of fatty acids.

Efficient Extraction of a Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)-Rich Lipid Fraction from Thraustochytrium sp. Using Ionic Liquids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a significant role in the modulation and prevention of various diseases, and hence are attracting increasing attention from the biotech industry. Thraustochytrids are marine heterokonts that exhibit robust growth rates, high PUFA content, and more specifically, a large percentage of omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) have been shown to improve the efficiency of organic solvent extraction of oils from wet oleaginous yeast and microalgae under mild conditions. Two ILs, the imidazolium 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate [C₂mim][EtSO₄] IL and the phosphonium (tetrabutylphosphonium propanoate [P₄₄₄₄][Prop]) IL were assessed for their ability to facilitate extraction of PUFA-containing lipids from a Thraustochytrium sp. (T18) through efficient cell wall disruption. The oil extracted after IL pretreatment was further characterized with respect to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) composition, while the effects of process parameters, such as the ratio of ionic liquid to co-solvent, the mass ratio of microalgae to the mixture of ionic liquid, and type of co-solvent were also investigated for both ILs. The results indicate that these ILs can disrupt the cells of Thraustochytrium sp. when mixed with a co-solvent (methanol), and facilitated the recovery of oils over a large degree of dewatered Thraustochytrium biomass (0–77.2 wt% water) in a short period of time (60 min) at ambient temperature, hence demonstrating a water compatible, low-energy, lipid recovery method. The lipid recovery was not affected by repeated usage of recycled ILs (tested up to five times).

Development of a method for the valorization of fermentation wastewater and algal-residue extract in docosahexaenoic acid production by Schizochytrium sp

Fermentation wastewater (FW) and algal residue are major by-products of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) fermentations utilizing Schizochytrium sp. In order to reduce production costs and environmental pollution, we explored the application of FW and algal-residue extract (AE) for DHA production. Components analysis showed that FW and AE contained some mineral elements and protein residues, respectively. When they were used for DHA fermentation, results showed that 20% replacement of fresh water by FW and 80% replacement of yeast extract nitrogen by AE reached DHA content of 22.23 g/L and 27.10 g/L, respectively. Furthermore, a novel medium that utilizes a mixture of FW and AE was applied for DHA fermentation, whereby the final DHA yield reached 28.45 g/L, 24.56% higher than conventional medium. The strategy of valorizing fermentation waste provides a new method for reducing the costs and reducing environmental pollution of microbial fermentations.

Taxonomy, ecology and biotechnological applications of thraustochytrids: A review

Thraustochytrids were first discovered in 1934, and since the 1960's they have been increasingly studied for their beneficial and deleterious effects. This review aims to provide an enhanced understanding of these protists with a particular emphasis on their taxonomy, ecology and biotechnology applications. Over the years, thraustochytrid taxonomy has improved with the development of modern molecular techniques and new biochemical markers, resulting in the isolation and description of new strains. In the present work, the taxonomic history of thraustochytrids is reviewed, while providing an up-to-date classification of these organisms. It also describes the various biomarkers that may be taken into consideration to support taxonomic characterization of the thraustochytrids, together with a review of traditional and modern techniques for their isolation and molecular identification. The originality of this review lies in linking taxonomy and ecology of the thraustochytrids and their biotechnological applications as producers of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), carotenoids, exopolysaccharides and other compounds of interest. The paper provides a summary of these aspects while also highlighting some of the most important recent studies in this field, which include the diversity of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in thraustochytrids, some novel strategies for biomass production and recovery of compounds of interest. Furthermore, a detailed overview is provided of the direct and current applications of thraustochytrid-derived compounds in the food, fuel, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and aquaculture industries and of some of the commercial products available. This review is intended to be a source of information and references on the thraustochytrids for both experts and those who are new to this field.