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Oligounsaturated fatty acid production by selected strains of micromycetes
1Research Institute of Gerontology, Malacky, Czechoslovakia.
Abstract:
Fifteen strains of filamentous fungi from the Culture Collection of Fungi (Charles University, Prague) were tested for their lipid production, fatty acid composition with emphasis on accumulation of oligounsaturated fatty acids. All cultures contained palmitic (16:0), palmitoleic (16:1), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2) and gamma-linolenic (18:3) acid (GLA). The mycelium of Cunninghamella elegans, Rhizopus arrhizus, Mortierella parvispora, M. elongata and M. alpina contained arachidonic acid (ARA) in the range of 2.3-33.5% of the total fatty acids. The strains used in our experiment were capable to accumulate a relatively high amount of intracellular lipid (9.6-20.1% in dry biomass). The highest content of GLA (22.3 mg/g) was found in Mucor circinelloides. The strain of M. alpina containing 47.1 mg/g of ARA could be considered as the best producer of ARA.
Insights
Filamentous fungi efficiently produce lipids and fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). Mucor circinelloides and Mortierella alpina show high potential for producing GLA and ARA, respectively.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Lipidomics
Background:
- Filamentous fungi are recognized for their capacity to synthesize and accumulate lipids.
- Understanding their fatty acid profiles is crucial for biotechnological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate lipid and fatty acid production in selected filamentous fungal strains.
- To identify strains with high accumulation of oligounsaturated fatty acids, specifically gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (ARA).
Main Methods:
- Screening of fifteen fungal strains from the Culture Collection of Fungi.
- Analysis of intracellular lipid content and fatty acid composition using gas chromatography.
- Quantification of specific fatty acids, including palmitic, oleic, GLA, and ARA.
Main Results:
- All tested fungal strains produced common fatty acids like palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acid.
- Mycelium of Cunninghamella elegans, Rhizopus arrhizus, and several Mortierella species contained significant levels of arachidonic acid (ARA), ranging from 2.3-33.5%.
- Intracellular lipid content ranged from 9.6-20.1% of dry biomass. Mucor circinelloides yielded the highest GLA (22.3 mg/g), while a strain of M. alpina was identified as the top ARA producer (47.1 mg/g).
Conclusions:
- Selected filamentous fungi are capable of accumulating substantial amounts of intracellular lipids.
- Specific strains, notably Mucor circinelloides and Mortierella alpina, demonstrate high potential as microbial cell factories for GLA and ARA production, respectively.