Mutant Yeast with Low Mannan Content for Immunopotentiating Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current immunopotentiating yeasts are not highly safe, require costly purification processes, and are not suitable for use in foods due to genetic modifications or fragile cell walls, making them expensive and difficult to incorporate into food manufacturing, especially under low osmotic pressures.
Innovation Solution
A mutant yeast with low mannan content is developed through mutagenesis, exposing β-glucan on the cell surface, allowing for immunopotentiating capability without purification, tolerance to hypotonic pressure, and cost-effective production suitable for food manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If immunopotentiating compounds are purified from yeasts or mushrooms, then immunopotentiating effect is achieved, but manufacturing cost and labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes β-glucan from the yeast cell wall through a simplified process that does not require complete purification of the yeast cells. The β-glucan is obtained by treating yeast cells with enzymes or chemicals to remove other components, leaving the immunopotentiating β-glucan that can be directly applied
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses whole yeast cells or yeast cell wall materials as a natural source that already contains the required immunopotentiating compounds, eliminating the need for complex purification and synthesis processes. The yeast cell itself serves as a ready-made delivery system for β-glucan
2Reliability
If genetically modified yeasts are used to achieve immunopotentiating capability, then specific gene functions are improved, but consumer safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses conventional yeast strains that can be easily cultivated and discarded after use, rather than relying on genetically modified organisms. The yeast cells are used as a temporary, disposable source of immunopotentiating compounds that can be grown, harvested, and applied without long-term environmental or safety concerns
3Reliability
If yeast cell wall structure is modified to expose β-glucan, then immunopotentiating effect is enhanced, but cell wall strength decreases making yeast fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes or reduces the mannan layer from the yeast cell wall through enzymatic or chemical treatment, exposing the β-glucan underneath. This partial extraction maintains enough structural integrity while providing the immunopotentiating β-glucan on the cell surface
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the cell wall by reducing mannan content to specific levels (30-70% reduction) while maintaining overall cell wall integrity. This parameter optimization allows β-glucan exposure without complete cell wall degradation
4Productivity
If sugar is added to growth media to increase osmotic pressure for fragile yeasts, then yeast growth is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases and food flavor changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the osmotic pressure parameter of the growth media to match the intracellular liquid of the yeast (300-400 mOsm), eliminating the need for additional sugar. This parameter matching allows yeast to grow normally in standard media without extra cost or flavor interference
Data Source
AI summary
A yeast including a cell wall having a low mannan content, wherein the yeast has an immunopotentiating capability, and is able to grow in a YPD liquid medium with an osmotic pressure of 300 mOsm, and wherein, when a part of a pre-culture of the yeast grown in a YPDS liquid medium is added to the YPD liquid medium so that OD660 is adjusted to 0.1, followed by incubating at 30° C. for 24 hours, the yeast grows to increase the OD660 of the YPD liquid medium to 1.0 or more.