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Engineered Chlorella vulgaris improves bioethanol production and promises prebiotic application
Sumedha Saha1, Sachin Maji2, Sudip K Ghosh2
1Advanced Laboratory for Plant Genetic Engineering, Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India.
World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology
|July 19, 2024
Summary
Genetically engineered microalgae Chlorella vulgaris show increased carbohydrate content for bioethanol production. These modified algae also exhibit prebiotic effects, making them valuable for functional food applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Microalgal biomass is a promising resource for biofuels, functional foods, and animal feed due to rapid growth and cultivation ease.
- Genetic engineering offers a pathway to enhance specific valuable compounds in microalgae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop transgenic Chlorella vulgaris with enhanced starch content for improved biofuel and food applications.
- To investigate the impact of genetic modification on carbohydrate yield, biofuel production, and functional properties.
Main Methods:
- Genetic engineering of Chlorella vulgaris using the Escherichia coli glgC gene to up-regulate ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase).
- Quantification of total carbohydrates, starch, lipids, carotenoids, and chlorophyll in transgenic and control strains.
- Assessment of bioethanol yield through yeast fermentation of transgenic algal biomass.
- Evaluation of in vitro starch digestibility and prebiotic effects of the engineered microalga.
Main Results:
- Transgenic C. vulgaris exhibited increased total carbohydrate content (45.1% DCW) and starch content (16% DCW) compared to controls (34.2% and 10% DCW, respectively).
- Bioethanol yield was significantly higher from transgenic algal biomass (82.82 mg/L) versus control (54.41 mg/L).
- Transgenic lines showed resistant starch content up to 7% and demonstrated positive prebiotic effects on probiotic bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Genetic modification of C. vulgaris by up-regulating AGPase is effective for increasing carbohydrate and starch accumulation.
- Engineered microalgal biomass serves as a superior feedstock for bioethanol production.
- Transgenic C. vulgaris possesses potential as a functional food ingredient with prebiotic properties.
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