<i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production
This study investigated a sustainable alternative to squalene production utilizing <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp., thereby reducing dependence on critically endangered sharks exploited for this compound. By optimizing fed-batch cultivation, a tech...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Marine Drugs |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/3/132 |
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| author | Júnior Mendes Furlan Graciela Salete Centenaro Mariane Bittencourt Fagundes Carlos Borges Filho Irineu Batista Narcisa Bandarra |
| author_facet | Júnior Mendes Furlan Graciela Salete Centenaro Mariane Bittencourt Fagundes Carlos Borges Filho Irineu Batista Narcisa Bandarra |
| author_sort | Júnior Mendes Furlan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated a sustainable alternative to squalene production utilizing <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp., thereby reducing dependence on critically endangered sharks exploited for this compound. By optimizing fed-batch cultivation, a technique prevalent in industrial biotechnology, we have enhanced squalene yields and have demonstrated, through sensitivity analysis, the significance of this shift in preserving species at risk of extinction. Optimization of culture conditions led to the highest biomass concentrations for <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. being achieved at lower C–N ratios (<5.0), while the optimal biomass production for <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp. occurred in culture media with a high C–N ratio of 54:50. Regarding squalene production, <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. produced 26.13 mg/L in the fed-batch system after 72 h, and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp. produced 54.97 mg/L in a batch system with 30 g/L glucose and 0.22 g/L nitrogen after 96 h, showcasing their potential for industrial applications. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis revealed that, on an industrial scale, both strains could produce up to 59.50 t of squalene annually in large-scale facilities, presenting a valuable and sustainable alternative for the biotechnological industry and significantly reducing the reliance on non-renewable and endangered sources such as shark liver oil and preventing the annual capture of over 156,661 sharks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9fab80dc4ec1400e99ac8ff759885f21 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1660-3397 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Marine Drugs |
| spelling | doaj-art-9fab80dc4ec1400e99ac8ff759885f212025-08-20T02:11:11ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972025-03-0123313210.3390/md23030132<i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene ProductionJúnior Mendes Furlan0Graciela Salete Centenaro1Mariane Bittencourt Fagundes2Carlos Borges Filho3Irineu Batista4Narcisa Bandarra5Chromatography and Food Analysis Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Itaqui 97650-000, RS, BrazilChromatography and Food Analysis Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Itaqui 97650-000, RS, BrazilInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research CIIMAR, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Porto, PortugalChromatography and Food Analysis Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Itaqui 97650-000, RS, BrazilPortuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere, 1495-006 Lisbon, PortugalPortuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere, 1495-006 Lisbon, PortugalThis study investigated a sustainable alternative to squalene production utilizing <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp., thereby reducing dependence on critically endangered sharks exploited for this compound. By optimizing fed-batch cultivation, a technique prevalent in industrial biotechnology, we have enhanced squalene yields and have demonstrated, through sensitivity analysis, the significance of this shift in preserving species at risk of extinction. Optimization of culture conditions led to the highest biomass concentrations for <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. being achieved at lower C–N ratios (<5.0), while the optimal biomass production for <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp. occurred in culture media with a high C–N ratio of 54:50. Regarding squalene production, <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. produced 26.13 mg/L in the fed-batch system after 72 h, and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp. produced 54.97 mg/L in a batch system with 30 g/L glucose and 0.22 g/L nitrogen after 96 h, showcasing their potential for industrial applications. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis revealed that, on an industrial scale, both strains could produce up to 59.50 t of squalene annually in large-scale facilities, presenting a valuable and sustainable alternative for the biotechnological industry and significantly reducing the reliance on non-renewable and endangered sources such as shark liver oil and preventing the annual capture of over 156,661 sharks.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/3/132culture systemnitrogen sourcesqualenethraustochytridssensitivity analysis |
| spellingShingle | Júnior Mendes Furlan Graciela Salete Centenaro Mariane Bittencourt Fagundes Carlos Borges Filho Irineu Batista Narcisa Bandarra <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production Marine Drugs culture system nitrogen source squalene thraustochytrids sensitivity analysis |
| title | <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production |
| title_full | <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production |
| title_fullStr | <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production |
| title_short | <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production |
| title_sort | i thraustochytrium i sp and i aurantiochytrium i sp sustainable alternatives for squalene production |
| topic | culture system nitrogen source squalene thraustochytrids sensitivity analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/3/132 |
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