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Boland DJ, Cornejo-Corona I, Browne DR, Murphy RL, Mullet J, Okada S, Devarenne TP. Reclassification of Botryococcus braunii chemical races into separate species based on a comparative genomics analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304144. [PMID: 39074348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The colonial green microalga Botryococcus braunii is well known for producing liquid hydrocarbons that can be utilized as biofuel feedstocks. B. braunii is taxonomically classified as a single species made up of three chemical races, A, B, and L, that are mainly distinguished by the hydrocarbons produced. We previously reported a B race draft nuclear genome, and here we report the draft nuclear genomes for the A and L races. A comparative genomic study of the three B. braunii races and 14 other algal species within Chlorophyta revealed significant differences in the genomes of each race of B. braunii. Phylogenomically, there was a clear divergence of the three races with the A race diverging earlier than both the B and L races, and the B and L races diverging from a later common ancestor not shared by the A race. DNA repeat content analysis suggested the B race had more repeat content than the A or L races. Orthogroup analysis revealed the B. braunii races displayed more gene orthogroup diversity than three closely related Chlamydomonas species, with nearly 24-36% of all genes in each B. braunii race being specific to each race. This analysis suggests the three races are distinct species based on sufficient differences in their respective genomes. We propose reclassification of the three chemical races to the following species names: Botryococcus alkenealis (A race), Botryococcus braunii (B race), and Botryococcus lycopadienor (L race).
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon J Boland
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences & Society (TIGSS), College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ivette Cornejo-Corona
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Daniel R Browne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- AI & Computational Biology, LanzaTech Inc., Skokie, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Rebecca L Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Biology Department, Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - John Mullet
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Shigeru Okada
- Laboratory of Aquatic Natural Products Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Timothy P Devarenne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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Wang T, Zhu L, Mei L, Kanda H. Extraction and Separation of Natural Products from Microalgae and Other Natural Sources Using Liquefied Dimethyl Ether, a Green Solvent: A Review. Foods 2024; 13:352. [PMID: 38275719 PMCID: PMC10815339 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Microalgae are a sustainable source for the production of biofuels and bioactive compounds. This review discusses significant research on innovative extraction techniques using dimethyl ether (DME) as a green subcritical fluid. DME, which is characterized by its low boiling point and safety as an organic solvent, exhibits remarkable properties that enable high extraction rates of various active compounds, including lipids and bioactive compounds, from high-water-content microalgae without the need for drying. In this review, the superiority of liquefied DME extraction technology for microalgae over conventional methods is discussed in detail. In addition, we elucidate the extraction mechanism of this technology and address its safety for human health and the environment. This review also covers aspects related to extraction equipment, various applications of different extraction processes, and the estimation and trend analysis of the Hansen solubility parameters. In addition, we anticipate a promising trajectory for the expansion of this technology for the extraction of various resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hideki Kanda
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Nagoya University, Furocho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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Vigneron A, Cruaud P, Lovejoy C, Vincent WF. Genomic insights into cryptic cycles of microbial hydrocarbon production and degradation in contiguous freshwater and marine microbiomes. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:104. [PMID: 37173775 PMCID: PMC10176705 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01537-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton produce long-chain alkanes and generate around 100 times greater quantities of hydrocarbons in the ocean compared to natural seeps and anthropogenic sources. Yet, these compounds do not accumulate in the water column, suggesting rapid biodegradation by co-localized microbial populations. Despite their ecological importance, the identities of microbes involved in this cryptic hydrocarbon cycle are mostly unknown. Here, we identified genes encoding enzymes involved in the hydrocarbon cycle across the salinity gradient of a remote, vertically stratified, seawater-containing High Arctic lake that is isolated from anthropogenic petroleum sources and natural seeps. Metagenomic analysis revealed diverse hydrocarbon cycling genes and populations, with patterns of variation along gradients of light, salinity, oxygen, and sulfur that are relevant to freshwater, oceanic, hadal, and anoxic deep sea ecosystems. RESULTS Analyzing genes and metagenome-assembled genomes down the water column of Lake A in the Canadian High Arctic, we detected microbial hydrocarbon production and degradation pathways at all depths, from surface freshwaters to dark, saline, anoxic waters. In addition to Cyanobacteria, members of the phyla Flavobacteria, Nitrospina, Deltaproteobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Verrucomicrobia had pathways for alkane and alkene production, providing additional sources of biogenic hydrocarbons. Known oil-degrading microorganisms were poorly represented in the system, while long-chain hydrocarbon degradation genes were identified in various freshwater and marine lineages such as Actinobacteria, Schleiferiaceae, and Marinimicrobia. Genes involved in sulfur and nitrogen compound transformations were abundant in hydrocarbon producing and degrading lineages, suggesting strong interconnections with nitrogen and sulfur cycles and a potential for widespread distribution in the ocean. CONCLUSIONS Our detailed metagenomic analyses across water column gradients in a remote petroleum-free lake derived from the Arctic Ocean suggest that the current estimation of bacterial hydrocarbon production in the ocean could be substantially underestimated by neglecting non-phototrophic production and by not taking low oxygen zones into account. Our findings also suggest that biogenic hydrocarbons may sustain a large fraction of freshwater and oceanic microbiomes, with global biogeochemical implications for carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Vigneron
- Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
- Centre d'études nordiques (CEN), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
- Takuvik Joint International Laboratory, CNRS / Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - Perrine Cruaud
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Connie Lovejoy
- Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Takuvik Joint International Laboratory, CNRS / Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Québec Océan, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Warwick F Vincent
- Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études nordiques (CEN), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Takuvik Joint International Laboratory, CNRS / Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Kawamura K, Nishikawa S, Hirano K, Ardianor A, Nugroho RA. BoCAPS: Rapid screening of chemical races in Botryococcus braunii with direct PCR-CAPS. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Gupta A, Barrow CJ, Puri M. Multiproduct biorefinery from marine thraustochytrids towards a circular bioeconomy. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:448-462. [PMID: 34627647 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Microalgal biotechnology research continues to expand due to largely unexplored marine environments and growing consumer interest in healthy products. Thraustochytrids, which are marine oleaginous protists, are known for their production of bioactives with significant applications in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and aquaculture. A wide range of high-value biochemicals, such as nutritional supplements (omega-3 fatty acids), squalene, exopolysaccharides (EPSs), enzymes, aquaculture feed, and biodiesel and pigment compounds, have been investigated. We discuss thraustochytrids as potential feedstocks to produce various bioactive compounds and advocate developing a biorefinery to offset production costs. We anticipate that future advances in cell manufacturing, lipidomic analysis, and nanotechnology-guided lipid extraction would facilitate large-scale cost-competitive production through these microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adarsha Gupta
- Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5042, Adelaide, Australia; Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5042, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Colin J Barrow
- Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, 3216, Geelong, Australia
| | - Munish Puri
- Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5042, Adelaide, Australia; Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5042, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, 3216, Geelong, Australia.
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Mariam I, Kareya MS, Rehmanji M, Nesamma AA, Jutur PP. Channeling of Carbon Flux Towards Carotenogenesis in Botryococcus braunii: A Media Engineering Perspective. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:693106. [PMID: 34394032 PMCID: PMC8358449 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.693106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae, due to their unique properties, gained attention for producing promising feedstocks having high contents of proteins, antioxidants, carotenoids, and terpenoids for applications in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Optimizing production of the high-value renewables (HVRs) in microalgae requires an in-depth understanding of their functional relationship of the genes involved in these metabolic pathways. In the present study, bioinformatic tools were employed for characterization of the protein-encoding genes of methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway involved in carotenoid and squalene biosynthesis based upon their conserved motif/domain organization. Our analysis demonstrates nearly 200 putative genes showing a conservation pattern within divergent microalgal lineages. Furthermore, phylogenomic studies confirm the close evolutionary proximity among these microalgal strains in the carotenoid and squalene biosynthetic pathways. Further analysis employing STRING predicts interactions among two rate-limiting genes, i.e., phytoene synthase (PSY) and farnesyl diphosphate farnesyl synthase (FPPS), which are specifically involved in the synthesis of carotenoids and squalene. Experimentally, to understand the carbon flux of these rate-limiting genes involved in carotenogenesis, an industrial potential strain, namely, Botryococcus braunii, was selected in this study for improved biomass productivity (i.e., 100 mg L-1 D-1) along with enhanced carotenoid content [0.18% dry cell weight (DCW)] when subjected to carbon supplementation. In conclusion, our approach of media engineering demonstrates that the channeling of carbon flux favors carotenogenesis rather than squalene synthesis. Henceforth, employing omics perspectives will further provide us with new insights for engineering regulatory networks for enhanced production of high-value carbon biorenewables without compromising growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqra Mariam
- Omics of Algae Group and DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Industrial Biotechnology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Mukul Suresh Kareya
- Omics of Algae Group and DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Industrial Biotechnology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammed Rehmanji
- Omics of Algae Group and DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Industrial Biotechnology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Asha Arumugam Nesamma
- Omics of Algae Group and DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Industrial Biotechnology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Pannaga Pavan Jutur
- Omics of Algae Group and DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Industrial Biotechnology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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Large-scale screening of natural genetic resource in the hydrocarbon-producing microalga Botrycoccus braunii identified novel fast-growing strains. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7368. [PMID: 33811231 PMCID: PMC8018972 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86760-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Algal biofuel research aims to make a renewable, carbon–neutral biofuel by using oil-producing microalgae. The freshwater microalga Botryococcus braunii has received much attention due to its ability to accumulate large amounts of petroleum-like hydrocarbons but suffers from slow growth. We performed a large-scale screening of fast-growing strains with 180 strains isolated from 22 ponds located in a wide geographic range from the tropics to cool-temperate. A fast-growing strain, Showa, which recorded the highest productivities of algal hydrocarbons to date, was used as a benchmark. The initial screening was performed by monitoring optical densities in glass tubes and identified 9 wild strains with faster or equivalent growth rates to Showa. The biomass-based assessments showed that biomass and hydrocarbon productivities of these strains were 12–37% and 11–88% higher than that of Showa, respectively. One strain, OIT-678 established a new record of the fastest growth rate in the race B strains with a doubling time of 1.2 days. The OIT-678 had 36% higher biomass productivity, 34% higher hydrocarbon productivity, and 20% higher biomass density than Showa at the same cultivation conditions, suggesting the potential of the new strain to break the record for the highest productivities of hydrocarbons.
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Lloyd C, Tan KH, Lim KL, Valu VG, Fun SMY, Chye TR, Mak HM, Sim WX, Musa SL, Ng JJQ, Bte Nordin NS, Bte Md Aidzil N, Eng ZYW, Manickavasagam P, New JY. Identification of microalgae cultured in Bold's Basal medium from freshwater samples, from a high-rise city. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4474. [PMID: 33627771 PMCID: PMC7904821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed at exploring microalgal heterogeneity from fresh water samples collected from inland water bodies in the heavily built city of Singapore. Culturable pure isolates (n = 94) were subject to an in-house microalgal DNA extraction method and LSU rDNA sequencing. Isolates were analysed for their predominance and distribution. A total of 17 different algal genera were identified (H = 2.8, EH = 0.6), of which Scenedesmus spp. and Chlorella spp. constituted 27.5% and 21.3% of isolates respectively, followed by Micractinium spp. (18.8%) and Chlamydomonas spp. (12.5%). We also report 16 new microalgal strains from this region. The data is important from an ecological and biotechnological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charmaine Lloyd
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore. .,School of Health and Medical Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, 3122, Australia.
| | - Kai Heng Tan
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Kar Leong Lim
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Vimala Gana Valu
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Sarah Mei Ying Fun
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Teng Rong Chye
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Hui Min Mak
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Wei Xiong Sim
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Sarah Liyana Musa
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Joscelyn Jun Quan Ng
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Nazurah Syazana Bte Nordin
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Nurhazlyn Bte Md Aidzil
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Zephyr Yu Wen Eng
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Punithavathy Manickavasagam
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
| | - Jen Yan New
- School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology - Microalgal Research Group, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Clementi, Singapore
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