Microbial Oil With Enriched Sn-2 DHA for Improved Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microbial oils produced by Ukenella, Schizochytrium, Thraustochytrium, and Cryptodinium have a low incorporation rate of DHA at the Sn-2 position, leading to inefficient absorption in the human body as a significant portion of DHA is converted into soap salts at the Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions.
Innovation Solution
A Schizochytrium strain (GDMCC No. 60733) is used for fermentation to produce a microbial oil with at least 23% of DHA at the Sn-2 position, enhancing absorption by ensuring a higher proportion of DHA is available for intestinal absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If microbial oil is produced by conventional fermentation using Ukenella, Schizochytrium, Thraustochytrium, Cryptodinium, or yeast, then DHA can be obtained as a primary resource, but the incorporation rate of DHA at Sn-2 position is far lower than at Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions, causing poor absorption in the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biochemical parameters of the Schizochytrium strain through mutagenesis and screening to alter its lipid metabolism characteristics. The selected strain exhibits changed parameters including higher Sn-2 position DHA incorporation rate (≥23%), modified enzyme activity profiles, and altered fatty acid synthesis pathways, enabling improved DHA absorption without compromising total DHA content
Solution Approach 2:
The Schizochytrium strain is engineered to self-produce triglycerides with DHA preferentially incorporated at the Sn-2 position through its inherent lipid metabolism pathways. The strain's endogenous enzymes (glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase and diacylglycerol acyltransferase) are optimized to naturally favor Sn-2 position esterification, eliminating the need for external enzymatic modification or chemical processing
2Quantity of substance
If DHA is incorporated mainly at Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions in triglyceride structure, then microbial oil can be produced with high DHA content, but a large amount of Sn-1 and Sn-3 DHA is converted into soap salts to be wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the positional distribution parameter of DHA in triglycerides by selecting and optimizing Schizochytrium strains with altered lipid metabolism characteristics. The key parameter change is the Sn-2 position incorporation rate (≥23%), which redirects DHA from Sn-1/Sn-3 positions to Sn-2 position, preventing soap salt formation and improving digestive absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect (low Sn-2 incorporation leading to waste) into a beneficial outcome by selecting strains that naturally produce high Sn-2 DHA content. This transforms the metabolic pathway to favor Sn-2 position esterification, turning what was previously a waste-generating pathway into an absorption-optimized pathway
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
The microbial oil with enriched Sn-2 DHA significantly improves DHA absorption in the human body, increasing its utilization and reducing wastage, as demonstrated by efficacy trials.
Implementation Method 1
inoculating a Schizochytrium strain into a fermentation medium for fermentation to produce the microbial oil
Data Source
AI summary
A microbial oil includes a triglyceride. Sn-2 fatty acids of the triglyceride in the microbial oil contain 23% or more by weight of DHA. The microbial oil is prepared by fermentation using a Schizochytrium strain, where the Schizochytrium strain is Schizochytrium sp. with an accession number of GDMCC No. 60733. A food including the microbial oil is also provided.