Mutant Algal Strain for Low-Temperature EPA Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural and wild-type algal strains exhibit reduced biomass productivity and PUFA production at low temperatures, limiting their commercial viability due to decreased cellular metabolism and photosynthetic efficiency, necessitating the development of strains with enhanced growth characteristics and nitrogen metabolism across a wide temperature range.
Innovation Solution
A mutant algal strain is developed with upregulated mRNA transcripts of genes encoding urea carboxylase and Δ-15-ω3-desaturase, and downregulated transcripts of the triacylglycerol lipase gene, achieved through mutagenesis and specific growth cycles in controlled environments, resulting in increased EPA content, biomass productivity, and temperature tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wild-type algal strains are used for lipid production, then the strains can be easily cultivated, but biomass productivity and PUFA production significantly decrease at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physiological parameters of algal strains through controlled mutagenesis and selection processes, creating variants with altered temperature response characteristics. The mutant strains exhibit changed metabolic parameter thresholds that allow maintaining high productivity across a broader temperature range, particularly at low temperatures where wild-type strains fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary mutagenesis treatments (UV irradiation, chemical mutagens) and pre-selection processes to generate and identify temperature-tolerant mutant strains before commercial cultivation. This preliminary genetic modification and selection ensures that the strains are pre-adapted to low-temperature conditions, preventing productivity loss before cultivation begins.
2Quantity of substance
If wild-type algal strains are used for PUFA production, then the production process is simple, but EPA content and lipid accumulation are significantly reduced at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biochemical parameters of algal strains through mutagenesis, specifically enhancing lipid metabolism parameters and EPA synthesis capacity. The mutant strains exhibit altered parameter values for lipid accumulation rate and EPA content, achieving 2-5 fold increases compared to wild-type strains at low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates mutant strain copies with desired traits through controlled mutagenesis and selection. Multiple mutant variants are generated and screened to copy and amplify the beneficial characteristics of high EPA production and low-temperature tolerance, then deployed for commercial cultivation.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If wild-type algal strains are cultivated at low temperatures, then energy costs for heating are reduced, but cellular metabolism and photosynthetic efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physiological parameters of algal strains to change their optimal temperature range and metabolic response thresholds. The mutant strains exhibit shifted parameter values that allow maintaining high photosynthetic efficiency at lower temperatures, eliminating the need for energy-intensive heating while preserving productivity.
4Productivity
If wild-type algal strains are used, then the cultivation system is simple to operate, but volumetric productivity and growth rates decrease during winter months
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mutagenesis and strain selection to develop high-productivity variants before commercial deployment. The mutant strains are pre-characterized for their superior growth rates and volumetric productivity, ensuring consistent high performance across seasonal temperature variations without requiring complex operational adjustments.
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 mutant strain shows a 2 to 5-fold increase in EPA content, 15% to 60% increase in volumetric productivity, and 10% to 50% reduction in doubling time compared to wild-type strains, maintaining high productivity and growth characteristics across a wide temperature range from 10°C to 37°C.
Implementation Method 1
natural and wild type strain of algae are known to have high biomass productivities in summer, and significantly lower biomass productivities in winter. The low temperature stress in winter reduces cellular metabolism and photosynthetic efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A mutant algal strain showing upregulation of mRNA transcripts encoding urea carboxylase, Δ-15-ω3-desaturase and downregulation of mRNA transcripts of gene encoding triacylglycerol lipase is provided herein. The mutant algal strain of the present disclosure is tolerant to low temperature and thus can be grown over a wide temperature range. The strain shows enhanced biomass and fatty acid production and enhanced growth rate and nitrogen metabolism over a wide temperature range of about 10° C. to about 37° C., wherein the enhancement is in comparison to the wild type algal strain. A method of obtaining the mutant algal strain and a method of producing industrially relevant products such as fatty acids from the mutant algal strain also are provided herein.