Isolation and Characterization of a Docosahexaenoic Acid-Phospholipids Producing Microorganism Crypthecodinium sp. D31

Optimizing ARA and DHA in infant formula: A systematic review of global trends, regional disparities, and considerations for precision nutrition

In the context of precision nutrition, the addition of ARA and DHA in infant formula needs to consider more factors. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review, including 112 relevant Chinese and English articles, to summarize and analyze the global levels of ARA, DHA, and the ARA/DHA ratio in breast milk. The data were correlated with local aquatic products intake and children's IQ. The results indicated that the average level of DHA in breast milk across regions is lower than that of ARA. Variations in DHA content were identified as a primary factor influencing ARA/DHA ratio fluctuations. Breast milk ARA and DHA levels decrease with prolonged lactation periods but increase over the past 22 years. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between aquatic products intake and breast milk DHA levels (r = 0.64, p < 0.05). Breast milk DHA levels also showed a significant positive correlation with children's IQ (r = 0.67, p < 0.01). Stable breast milk ARA content did not exhibit significant correlations with aquatic products intake or children's IQ (r = 0, p > 0.05). Among 22 infant formula products available in China, only 5 had ARA levels within the range of breast milk. Most formula products had higher ARA levels than DHA, resulting in ARA/DHA ratios generally exceeding 1. The temporal and spatial variability in breast milk ARA and DHA levels may lead to diverse health outcomes in infants. Therefore, the addition of ARA and DHA in infant formula should consider this variability, including the molecular forms and positional isomerism of the added ARA and DHA. Additionally, considering the impact of different cognitive development tests and infant's gene expression on formula assessment results, there is a need to establish a more comprehensive infant health assessment system to guide the addition of ARA and DHA in formula.

Characterization of ω3 fatty acid desaturases from oomycetes and their application toward eicosapentaenoic acid production in Mortierella alpina

ω3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids are currently obtained mainly from fisheries; thus, sustainable alternative sources such as oleaginous microorganisms are required. Here, we describe the isolation, characterization, and application of 3 novel ω3 desaturases with ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-producing activity at ordinary temperatures (28 °C). First, we selected Pythium sulcatum and Plectospira myriandra after screening for oomycetes with high eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratios and isolated the genes psulω3 and pmd17, respectively, which encode ω3 desaturases. Subsequent characterization showed that PSULω3 exhibited ω3 desaturase activity on both C18 and C20 ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids while PMD17 exhibited ω3 desaturase activity exclusively on C20 ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Expression of psulω3 and pmd17 in the arachidonic acid-producer Mortierella alpina resulted in transformants that produced eicosapentaenoic acid/total fatty acid values of 38% and 40%, respectively, at ordinary temperatures. These ω3 desaturases should facilitate the construction of sustainable ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid sources.

Effect of sequential recycling of spent media wastewater on docosahexaenoic acid production by newly isolated strain Aurantiochytrium sp. ICTFD5

The main aim of this work was the optimization of recycled spent media wastewater (SMW) concentration for high biomass production of Aurantiochytrium sp. ICTFD5. Further, optimization for growth patterns and lipid accumulation capacity with three subsequent recycling runs was also performed. The biomass production after 96 h fermentation for recycling with 50% SMW was; 21.3 ± 1.5, 19.1 ± 1.3, 19 ± 1.2, and 23 ± 1.2 g/L for the first, second, third recycle runs, and control respectively. All the recycle runs were carried out with the same media and cultivation conditions. Subsequent recycling affected lipid accumulation, and it was decreased by ~4 to 9% compared to the control. The compositional shift of fatty acids was observed with sequential recycle runs, changing more towards saturated fatty acids content, suggesting it to be a new potential source for biodiesel feedstock.

Advances in exogenous docosahexaenoic acid-containing phospholipids: Sources, positional isomerism, biological activities, and advantages

In recent years, docosahexaenoic acid-containing phospholipids (DHA-PLs) have attracted much attention because of theirs unique health benefits. Compared with other forms of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), DHA-PLs possess superior biological effects (e.g., anticancer, lipid metabolism regulation, visual development, and brain and nervous system biochemical reactions), more intricate metabolism mechanisms, and a stronger attraction to consumer. The production of DHA-PLs is hampered by several challenges associated with the limited content of DHA-PLs in natural sources, incomplete utilization of by-products, few microorganisms for DHA-PLs production, high cost, and complex process of artificial preparation of DHA-PLs. In this article, the sources, biological activities, and commercial applications of DHA-PLs were summarized, with intensive discussions on advantages of DHA-PLs over DHA, isomerism of DHA in phospholipids (PLs), and brain health. The excellent biological characteristics of DHA-PLs are primarily concerned with DHA and PLs. The metabolic fate of different DHA-PLs varies from the position of DHA in PLs to polar groups in DHA-PLs. Overall, well understanding of DHA-PLs about their sources and characteristics is critical to accelerate the production of DHA-PLs, economically enhance the value of DHA-PLs, and improve the applicability of DHA-PLs and the acceptance of consumers.

Light enhanced the accumulation of total fatty acids (TFA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a newly isolated heterotrophic microalga Crypthecodinium sp. SUN

In the present study, light illumination was found to be efficient in elevating the total fatty acid content in a newly isolated heterotrophic microalga, Crypthecodinium sp. SUN. Under light illumination, the highest total fatty acid and DHA contents were achieved at 96h as 24.9% of dry weight and 82.8mgg^-1 dry weight, respectively, which were equivalent to 1.46-fold and 1.68-fold of those under the dark conditions. The elevation of total fatty acid content was mainly contributed by an increase of neutral lipids at the expense of starches. Moreover, light was found to alter the cell metabolism and led to a higher specific growth rate, higher glucose consumption rate and lower non-motile cell percentage. This is the first report that light can promote the total fatty acids accumulation in Crypthecodinium without growth inhibition.