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Poly(β-L-malic acid) production by diverse phylogenetic clades of Aureobasidium pullulans

Pennapa Manitchotpisit1, Christopher D Skory, Stephen W Peterson

  • 1Biochemistry Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Muangake, Lakhok, Patumthani, 12000, Thailand.

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
|July 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Certain strains of Aureobasidium pullulans efficiently produce poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA), a natural biopolyester with pharmaceutical potential. Genetic analysis revealed promising production capabilities in specific fungal clades, particularly from Iceland.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Microbiology
  • Polymer Science

Background:

  • Poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA) is a natural biopolyester with significant pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
  • Fungal fermentation is a key method for producing biopolymers like PMA.
  • Aureobasidium pullulans is a known producer of various bioproducts, including PMA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA) production capabilities of diverse Aureobasidium pullulans strains.
  • To identify specific fungal clades and isolates with high PMA yield.
  • To characterize the purity and molecular weight of PMA produced by A. pullulans.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 56 Aureobasidium pullulans strains, including newly isolated strains from Iceland and Thailand.
  • Cultivation of selected strains in a medium containing 5% glucose for PMA production.
  • Isolation and purification of PMA using differential precipitation in ethanol.
  • Analysis of PMA purity, pullulan contamination, and molecular weight.

Main Results:

  • Most Aureobasidium pullulans strains produced at least 4 g/L of PMA.
  • Several strains, particularly in clades 9, 11, and 13, achieved high PMA yields of 9-11 g/L.
  • Isolated PMA exhibited up to 72% purity with minimal pullulan contamination (≤12%).
  • The molecular weight of PMA ranged from 5.1 to 7.9 kDa.

Conclusions:

  • Specific genetic groups of Aureobasidium pullulans, especially those from Iceland (clade 13), demonstrate significant potential for poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA) production.
  • The identified strains offer a promising source for sustainable and efficient PMA manufacturing.
  • Further research into optimizing fermentation conditions for these strains could enhance PMA yields.

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