Oils from Microorganisms
Edible Oil and Fat Products: Specialty Oils and Oil Products
James P. Wynn,
Colin Ratledge,
James P. Wynn
Martek Biosciences Corporation, Columbia, Maryland
Search for more papers by this authorColin Ratledge
Lipid Research Centre, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorJames P. Wynn,
Colin Ratledge,
James P. Wynn
Martek Biosciences Corporation, Columbia, Maryland
Search for more papers by this authorColin Ratledge
Lipid Research Centre, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
All microorganisms, bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and algae produce a wide variety of lipids. Some species, the oleaginous ones, produce large amounts, sometimes up to 70% of the cell mass, of triacylglycerol oils, which, depending on the organism, are similar in fatty acyl constituents to most of the conventional plant seed oils. These are known as single-cell oils (SCO). They may, if the economics are right, be considered as alternative sources to these commodities. However, because of the high cost of fermentation technology to cultivate microorganisms on a large scale, only the very highest valued microbial oils can be considered economically viable. This chapter gives a brief background to microbial technology and gives examples of how SCOs have been produced as sources of gamma-linolenic acid, being alternatives to evening primrose and borage oils, and for the production of cocoa butter equivalent oils for possible use in chocolate confectionery. Current commercial productions of arachidonic acid (20:4,n-4) using the filamentous fungus, Mortierella alpina, and of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6,n-3) by the marine dinoflagellate, Crypthecodinium cohnii, and by the chytrid, Schizochytrium spp. are described in which oils are produced that are then incorporated into infant baby formulas and are taken for the prevention of coronary heart disease in adults. The prospect of using microorganisms to produce other polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid, for possible medical applications, concludes this chapter.
References
- 1 C. Ratledge and B. Kristiansen, Basic Biotechnology, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K., 2001.
- 2M. Woodbine, Progr. Indust. Microbiol., 1, 179–245 (1959).
- 3 C. Ratledge, in D. J. Kyle and C. Ratledge, eds., Industrial Applications of Single Cell Oils, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign, Illinois, 1992, pp. 1–15.
- 4
C. Ratledge, in
B. S. Kamel and
Y. Kakuda, eds.,
Technological Advances in Improved and Alternative Sources of Lipids,
Blackie,
Glasgow, U.K.,
1994,
pp. 235–291.
10.1007/978-1-4615-2109-9_9 Google Scholar
- 5 C. Ratledge, in H. J. Rehm, R. Reed, A. Puhler, P. Stadler, H. Kleinkauf, and H. von Dohren, eds., Biotechnology, Vol. 7: Products of Secondary Metabolism, 2nd ed., VCH, Weinheim, Germany, 1997, pp. 133–197.
- 6 C. Ratledge, in F. D. Gunstone, ed., Structured and Modified Lipids, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2001, pp. 351–399.
- 7 C. Ratledge and S. J. Wilkinson, eds., Microbial Lipids, Vol. 1, Academic Press, London, U.K., 1989.
- 8 C. Ratledge and J. P. Wynn, Adv. Appl. Microbiol. 51, 1–51 (2002).
- 9
Y. S. Huang and
D. E. Mills, eds.,
γ-Linolenic Acid: Metabolism and its Roles in Nutrition and Medicine,
American Oil Chemists' Society,
Champaign, Illinois,
1996.
10.1201/9781439831939 Google Scholar
- 10 D. F. Horrobin and P. F. Morse, Lancet, 345, 260–261 (1995).
- 11 D. F. Horrobin, Amer. J. Clin. Nutr., 71, 367S–372S (2000).
- 12 Y. S. Huang, and A. Ziboh, eds., γ-Linolenic Acid: Recent Advances in Biotechnology & Clinical Applications, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign, Illinois, 2001.
- 13 P. M. Clough, in F. D. Gunstone, ed., Structured and Modified Lipids, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2001, pp. 75–117.
- 14 R. J. Davies, Report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, No. IPD/T50/2011 DSIR, New Zealand, 1983.
- 15 R. J. Davies, Food Technol. New Zealand, June 33–37 (1984).
- 16 R. J. Davies, in R. S. Moreton, ed., Single Cell Oil, Longman, U.K./John Wiley New York, 1988, pp. 99–145.
- 17 K. W. Smith, in F. D. Gunstone, ed., Structured and Modified Lipids, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2001, pp. 401–422.
- 18 R. S. Moreton, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 33, 41–45 (1985).
- 19 R. S. Moreton, ed., Single Cell Oil, Longman, U.K./John Wiley, New York, 1988, pp. 1–32.
- 20 A. Ykema, E. C. Verbee, H. J. J. Nijkamp, and H. Smit, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 32, 76–84 (1989).
- 21 A. Ykema, E. C. Verbee, I. I. G. S. Verwoert, K. H. van der Linden, K. H. Nijkamp, H. J. J. Nijkamp, and H. Smit, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 33, 176–182 (1990).
- 22 I. I. G. S. Verwoert, A. Ykema, J. A. C. Valkenburg, E. C. Verbree, H. J. J. Nijkamp, and H. Smit, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 32, 327–333 (1989).
- 23 H. Smit, A. Ykema, E. C. Verbree, I. I. G. S. Verwoert, and M. M. Kater, in D. J. Kyle and C. Ratledge, eds., Industrial Applications of Single Cell Oils, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign, Illinois, 1992, pp. 185–195.
- 24 M. Beavan, A. Kligerman, R. Droniuk, C. Drouin, B. Goldenberg, A. Effio, P. Yu, B. Guiliany, and J. Fein, in D. J. Kyle and C. Ratledge, eds., Industrial Applications of Single Cell Oils, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign, Illinois, 1992, pp. 156–184.
- 25 M. Hassan, P. J. Blanc, A. Pareilleux, and G. Goma, Biotechnol. Lett., 16, 819–824 (1994).
- 26 M. Hassan, P. J. Blanc, A. Pareilleux, and G. Goma, World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 10, 534–537 (1994).
- 27 R. J. Davies, in D. J. Kyle and C. Ratledge, eds., Industrial Applications of Single Cell Oils, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign, Illinois, 1992, pp. 196–218.
- 28 R. J. Davies, J. E. Holdsworth, and S. L. Reader, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 33, 569–573 (1990) Erratum: 34, 832–833 (1991).
- 29 R. J. Davies, and J. E. Holdsworth, Adv. Appl. Lipid Res. 1, 119–159 (1992).
- 30 N. J. Moon, and E. G. Hammond, J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 55, 683–688 (1978).
- 31 F. D. Gunstone, in F. D. Gunstone, ed., Structured and Modified Lipids, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2001, pp. 11–35.
- 32 M. Certik and S. Shimizu, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 54, 224–230 (2000).
- 33 C. Ratledge, Trends Biotechnol., 11, 278–284 (1993).
- 34 B. F. Haumann, Inform, 9, 1108–1116 (1998).
- 35 S. Kazuhiko et al., Japanese Patent 1038007, 1989.
- 36 Y. Shinmen, S. Shimizu, and Y. Hideaki, European Patent 0276541, 1988.
- 37 H. Streekstra, J. Biotechnol., 56, 153–165 (1997).
- 38 K. Boswell, E-K. Koskelo, L. Carl, S. Glaza, D. J. Hensen, K. D. Williams, and D. J. Kyle, Food Chem. Toxicol., 34, 585–593 (1996).
- 39 R. A. Hempenius, J. M. H. van Delft, M. Prinzen, and B. A. R. Lina, Food Chem. Toxicol., 35, 573–581 (1997).
- 40 R. A. Hempenius, B. A. R. Lina, and R. C. Haggit, Food Chem. Toxicol., 38, 127–139 (2000).
- 41 Y. Shinmen, S. Shimizu, K. Akimoto, H. Kawashima, and H. Yamada, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 31, 11–16 (1989).
- 42 S. Stredanska and J. Sajbidor, Folia Microbiol., 37, 357–358 (1997).
- 43 V. K. Eroshin, E. G. Dedyukhina, T. I. Chistyakova, V. P. Zhelifonova, C. P. Kurtzman, and R. J. Bothast, World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 12, 91–96 (1996).
- 44 T. Aki, Y. Nagahata, K. Ishihara, Y. Tanaka, T. Morinaga, K. Higashiyama, K. Akimoto, S. Fujikawa, S. Kawamoto, S. Shigeta, K. Ono, and O. Suzuki, J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 78, 599–604 (2001).
- 45 A. Singh, and O. P. Ward, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 48, 1–5 (1997).
- 46 P. K. Bajpai, P. Bajpai, and O. Pl Ward, J. Indust. Microbiol., 8, 179–186 (1991).
- 47 S. Shimizu, Yukagaku, 44, 804–813 (1995).
- 48 K. Higashiyama, T. Yaguchi, K. Akimoto, S. Fujikawa, and S. Shimizu, J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 75, 1815–1819 (1998).
- 49
K. Higashiyama,
K. Murakami,
H. Tsujimura,
N. Matsumoto, and
S. Fujikawa,
Biotechnol. Bioeng.,
63,
442–448
(1999).
10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19990520)63:4<442::AID-BIT7>3.0.CO;2-9 CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 50 D. J. Kyle, Lipid Technol., 8, 107–110 (1996).
- 51 H. Yamada, S. Shimizu, Y. Shinmen, H. Kawashima, and K. Akimoto, J. Despersion Sci. Technol., 10, 561–579 (1989).
- 52 J. Sajbidor, D. Kozelouhova, and M. Certik, Folia Microbiol., 37, 404–406 (1992).
- 53 Y. Koike, H. J. Cai, K. Higashiyama, S. Fujikawa, and E. Y. Park, J. Biosci. Bioeng., 91, 382–389, (2001).
- 54 E. Y. Park, Y. Koike, K. Higashiyama, S. Fujikawa, and M. Okabe, J. Biosci. Bioeng., 88, 61–67, (1999).
- 55 L. M. Arterburn, K. D. Boswell, T. Lawlor, M. A. Cifone, H. Murle, and D. J. Kyle, Food. Chem. Toxicol., 38, 971–976 (2000).
- 56 G. Hornstra, Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 71, 1262S–1269S (2000).
- 57 K. Boswell, E.-K. Koskelo, L. Carl, S. Glaza, D. J. Hensen, K. D. Williams, and D. J. Kyle, Food Chem. Toxicol., 34, 585–593 (1996).
- 58BBC Online Network. (Sept. 20, 1999). Toxin warning on oily fish. BBC News. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/452548.sym.
- 59United States Environmental Protection Agency. Press Release. (Jan. 12, 2001). Available: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/fishadv.pdf.
- 60 J. Gómez-Aracena, J. D. Kark, R. A. Riemersma, J. M. Martín-Moreno, and F. J. Kok, New Eng. J. Med., 347, 1747–1754 (2002).
- 61 G. W. Harrington, D. H. Beach, J. E. Dunham, and G. G. Holtz, J. Protozool., 17, 213–219 (1970).
- 62 R. J. Henderson, Lipid Technol., 11, 5–10 (1999).
- 63 S. M. Innis and J. W. Hansen, Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 64, 159–167 (1996).
- 64 J. A. Conquer and B. J. Holub, Lipids, 32, 341–345 (1997).
- 65 P. S. Y. Tam, R. Umeda-Sawada, T. Yaguchi, K. Akimoto, Y. Kiso, and O. Igarashi, Lipids, 35, 71–75 (2000).
- 66 W. R. Barclay, U. S. Patent 5,340,742, 1994.
- 67 P. W. Behrens and D. J. Kyle, J. Food Lipids, 3, 259–272 (1996).
- 68 W. Barclay, R. Abril, P. Abril, C. Weaver, and A. Ashford, World Rev. Nutr. Diet, 83, 61–76 (1998).
- 69 C. C. Becker and D. J. Kyle, Food Technol., 52, 68–71 (1998).
- 70 C. A. Drevon, I. Baksaas, and H. L. Krokan, eds., Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Metabolism and Biological Effects., Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 1993.
- 71 A. P. Simopoulos, R. R. Kifer, R. E. Martin, and S. M. Barlaw, eds., Health Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids., S. Karger AG, Basel, 1991.
- 72 D. J. Garcia, Food Technol., 52, 44–49 (1998).
- 73 G. J. Blake and P. M. Ridker, J. Intern. Med., 252, 283–294 (2002).
- 74 A. S. Whitehouse and M. J. Tisdale, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 285, 598–294 (2002).
- 75 M. J. Tisdale, J. Nutr., 129, 243S–246S (1999).
- 76 M. J. Tisdale, Support Care Cancer, 11, 73–78 (2003).
- 77 L. A. Sauer, R. T. Dauchy, and D. E. Blask, Cancer Res., 60, 5289–5295 (2000).
- 78 S. Shimizu, Y. Shinmen, H. Kawashima, K. Akimoto, and H. Yamada, Biochem. Biocphys. Res. Commun., 150, 335–341 (1988).
- 79 S. Shimizu, H. Kawashima, Y. Shinmen, K. Akimoto, and H. Yamada, J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 65, 1455–1459 (1988).
- 80 S. Shimizu, H. Kawashima, K. Akimoto, Y. Shinmen, and H. Yamada, J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 66, 341–347 (1989).
- 81 S. R. Gandhi, and J. D. Weete, J. Gen. Microbiol., 137, 1825–1830 (1991).
- 82 D. J. O'Brien, M. J. Kurantiz, and R. Kwoczak, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 40, 211–214 (1993).
- 83 E. E. Stinson, R. Kvoczak, and M. J. Kurantz, J. Ind. Microbiol., 8, 171–178 (1991).
- 84 E. Molina Grima, J. A. Sanchez Perez, F. Garcia Camacho, J. M. Fernandez Sevilla, and F. G. Acien Fernandez, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 41, 23–27 (1994).
- 85 A. Seto, K. Kumasaka, M. Hosaka, E. Kojima, M. Kashiwakura, and T. Kato, in D. J. Kyle and C. Ratledge, eds., Industrial Applications of Single Cell Oils, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign, Illinois, 1992, pp. 219–234.
- 86 Z. Cohen, J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 67, 916–920 (1990).
- 87 W. Yongmanitchai and O. P. Ward, J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 69, 584–590 (1992).
- 88 M. Certik, E. Sakuradani, and S. Shimizu, Trends Biotechnol., 16, 500–505 (1998).
- 89 J. G. Metz et al., Science, 293, 290–293 (2001).
- 90 (2003). Available: www.gmpublicdebate.org/ut_09/ut_9_6.htm.
