Microalgae Squalene Production via Fermentation Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing squalene, such as from shark livers or recombinant yeasts, face challenges like low yield, contamination risks, and complex metabolic engineering processes, while microalgae-based methods produce squalene in small amounts, necessitating optimization of fermentation conditions.
Innovation Solution
A process involving culturing microalgae of the Thraustochytriales family at temperatures between 25-35°C, specifically 28-32°C, and adding vitamins B1, B6, and B12 to enhance squalene production, achieving up to 1000 times higher yields than previous methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If squalene is extracted from shark livers, then high purity squalene is obtained, but health risks and environmental concerns arise due to pathogen contamination and toxin accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the problematic shark liver source with microalgae (Thraustochytriales sp.) that can be cultured in controlled fermentation conditions. This substitution eliminates the health and environmental risks associated with shark liver extraction while maintaining squalene production capability, as the microalgae are grown in sterile, controlled environments that prevent pathogen and toxin contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microalgae as an intermediary organism to produce squalene, replacing the direct extraction from shark livers. This intermediary production system allows for controlled fermentation conditions that ensure purity without the harmful contaminants found in shark liver-based squalene.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If squalene is extracted from plants like olive oil or palm oil, then health safety is improved, but production yield remains very low at 0.1% to 0.7% by weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biological source parameters from plant materials (olive oil, palm oil) to microalgae (Thraustochytriales sp.), and optimizes fermentation parameters including temperature (25-35°C), pH (2.0-8.0), and nutrient composition. This parameter optimization enables squalene production to reach 2-12 g per 100 g of dry biomass, representing a 30-120 fold increase over plant-based extraction yields while maintaining health safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses microalgae as a biological copy or alternative system that replicates the squalene production capability needed for industrial use, but with significantly enhanced yield. The microalgae system copies the essential function of squalene production while overcoming the low yield limitation of plant-based sources through controlled fermentation conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If recombinant yeasts are used for squalene production, then health safety is maintained, but production yield is low and metabolic engineering processes are complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces recombinant yeasts with microalgae (Thraustochytriales sp.) that naturally produce high levels of squalene without requiring complex metabolic engineering. This substitution maintains the health safety benefits of microorganism-based production while dramatically improving yield to 2-12 g per 100 g of dry biomass, eliminating the need for complicated genetic modification processes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If microalgae of Thraustochytriales sp. family are used for squalene production, then health safety and production yield are improved, but fermentation conditions require optimization to achieve high yields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically optimizes fermentation parameters including temperature (25-35°C), pH (2.0-8.0), dissolved oxygen (0-100% saturation), and nutrient composition to maximize squalene production. These parameter optimizations enable the microalgae to achieve high squalene yields of 2-12 g per 100 g of dry biomass, transforming the process from a complex optimization challenge into a scalable industrial process with defined operating conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases squalene production to levels of 2-12 g per 100 g of dry biomass, optimizing fermentation conditions to meet industrial demands for high-quality squalene with improved purity and yield.
Implementation Method 1
A process for the production of squalene by fermentation from microalgae of the Thraustochytriales sp. family
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the production of squalene from microalgae belonging to the family of Thraustochytriales sp., preferably at concentrations of between 2 and 12 g per 100 g of dry biomass. The method is characterized in that it comprises steps consisting in: culturing microalgae belonging to the family of Thraustochytriales sp. at a temperature of between 25 and 35° C., preferably between 28 and 32° C., and more preferably of the order of 30° C.; and adding between 1 and 1000 μg of vitamin B12 per liter of culture medium to said culture medium.