Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hiroshi Kikukawa, Takuma Okaya, Takashi Maoka, Masayuki Miyazaki, Keita Murofushi, Takanari Kato, Yoko Hirono-Hara, Masahiro Katsumata, Shoichi Miyahara, Kiyotaka Y. Hara
Summary: Carotenoids, with antioxidant activity, are commercially used in dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. A deep-sea sediment sample from Suruga Bay, Japan, yielded a pure yellow carotenoid-producing strain identified as Sphingomonas sp. The strain produced highly pure nostoxanthin, a poly-hydroxy yellow carotenoid, with significantly increased production in artificial sea salt.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kalidasan Kaliyamoorthy, Suchana Chavanich, Kathiresan Kandasamy, Mohanchander Ponnuvel, Niyom Kamlangdee, Yousuke Taoka, Voranop Viyakarn
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and identify PUFAs-rich thraustochytrids from Indian mangrove ecosystems for their pigments, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Two predominant isolates, Thraustochytrium sp. and Aurantiochytrium mangrovei, were found to produce PUFAs with high DHA content. A. mangrovei also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yunrui Cao, Lu Yang, Xing Qiao, Changhu Xue, Jie Xu
Summary: Astaxanthin, a carotenoid with excellent antioxidant activity, has numerous health benefits such as improving skin condition, protecting eyes, and promoting cardiovascular health. Further research is needed to understand the structure-function relationship of astaxanthin and its interaction with gut microbiota during digestion and absorption.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sang-Ah Lee, Minsik Kim, Maranda Esterhuizen, Ve Van Le, Mingyeong Kang, So-Ra Ko, Hee-Mock Oh, Young Jun Kim, Chi-Yong Ahn
Summary: This study optimized the growth rate and astaxanthin yield of Haematococcus lacustris through metagenomics analysis and bacterial augmentation, providing a potential solution for the commercial production of astaxanthin by this species.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Indrayani Indrayani, Einar Skarstad Egeland, Navid Reza Moheimani, Michael A. Borowitzka
Summary: This study analyzed the carotenoid production of Botryococcus braunii 807/2 under different growing conditions and found that high light intensity and optimum conditions promoted the accumulation of carotenoids, especially lutein. Additionally, red cells of B.braunii 807/2 predominantly accumulated canthaxanthin and astaxanthin under indoor and outdoor cultures, respectively.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kunal Pratap, Marwan E. Majzoub, Aya C. Taki, Socorro Miranda Hernandez, Marie Magnusson, Christopher R. K. Glasson, Rocky de Nys, Torsten Thomas, Andreas L. Lopata, Sandip D. Kamath
Summary: The intestinal microbial community is crucial for gut health, and dietary components like algal polysaccharides and carotenoids can modulate its structure. This study found that ulvan and astaxanthin can promote significant changes in the gut microbiota of mice, highlighting their potential to improve gut health conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Masaki Honda, Yelin Zhang, Motonobu Goto
Summary: Daily consumption of carotenoids is beneficial for health, but their bioavailability is typically low. Z-isomerization is gaining attention as a method to increase carotenoid bioavailability and using isothiocyanate-functionalized silica (Si-NCS) as a catalyst for carotenoid isomerization shows promise. Si-NCS efficiently promotes Z-isomerization of carotenoids, increasing their Z-isomer ratios significantly. Continuous Z-isomerization can be achieved by introducing carotenoid solution into a column packed with Si-NCS. Si-NCS has the potential to solve the issues of high production cost and low Z-isomer ratio in carotenoid-rich materials.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amit Kumar Gupta, Kunal Seth, Kirti Maheshwari, Prabhat Kumar Baroliya, Mukesh Meena, Ashwani Kumar, Vandana Vinayak, Harish
Summary: Algae have the potential as a bio-refinery for the production of high-value natural compounds like carotenoids, which play essential roles in photosynthesis and provide diverse health benefits for humans. Advances in algal genomics and transcriptomics have improved understanding of carotenoid biosynthesis pathways in algae.
FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE-LANDMARK
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matteo Pivato, Federico Perozeni, Francesco Licausi, Stefano Cazzaniga, Matteo Ballottari
Summary: A synthetic biology approach was successfully used to express a FT OCP2 protein from a thermophilic cyanobacterium in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, with robust expression and successful localization into the chloroplast. Different strategies were employed to optimize expression in UV-mediated mutants and strains engineered for constitutive expression of an endogenous carotene ketolase, resulting in astaxanthin and other ketocarotenoids accumulation. Furthermore, the ketocarotenoid-binding FT OCP2 holoproteins maintained their photoconversion properties, suggesting a potential novel tool for improving solubility of ketocarotenoids in green algae.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Zhihui Shi, Xiaoxian He, Hailiang Zhang, Xuena Guo, Yanfei Cheng, Xuelian Liu, Zhaoyue Wang, Xiuping He
Summary: In this study, atmospheric and room temperature plasma mutagenesis technology was used to genetically improve Phaffia rhodozyma. The key gene GST1 affecting carotenoid synthesis was discovered through comparative genomics and transcriptomics analysis. This research is important for increasing pigment content and improving the growth cycle and fermentation temperature of P. rhodozyma.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jerome Schmeisser, Viviane Verlhac-Trichet, Angelico Madaro, Santosh P. Lall, Ole Torrissen, Rolf Erik Olsen
Summary: The transcriptomic analysis revealed that pyloric caeca in post-smolt Atlantic salmon is more sensitive to dietary astaxanthin supplementation compared to hepatic and muscular tissues. Key genes sensitive to astaxanthin supplementation were identified in pylorus, liver, and muscle. The modulation of genes in pylorus was related to absorption and metabolism of astaxanthin, while liver showed a potential link to the ferroptosis process. Dietary astaxanthin had a lesser impact on muscle except for genes related to actin remodelling and glucose homeostasis.
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malwina Mularczyk, Nabila Bourebaba, Krzysztof Marycz, Lynda Bourebaba
Summary: This study tested the protective effects of astaxanthin on adipose-derived stromal stem cells (ASCs) and found that it could reduce apoptosis and improve oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Astaxanthin restored mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by regulating the expression of related factors. These results suggest that astaxanthin has the potential as a bio-drug for treating metabolic syndrome.
Article
Microbiology
Minchung Kang, Geeta Chhetri, Jiyoun Kim, Inhyup Kim, Taegun Seo
Summary: Strain sand1-3(T) isolated from beach sand in Haeundae Beach, Busan, Republic of Korea belongs to the genus Sphingomonas, with growth conditions at 7-50 degrees C, pH 5.0-8.0, and 0-0.5% NaCl. Major lipids include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Philipp Doppler, Ricarda Kriechbaum, Maria Kaefer, Julian Kopp, Daniel Remias, Oliver Spadiut
Summary: A novel strain of Coelastrella terrestris was collected from red mucilage in a glacier foreland in Iceland. The addition of acetate increased the biomass productivity, indicating a promising approach for adonixanthin production.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xu-Hua Mo, Yu-Man Sun, Yu-Xing Bi, Yan Zhao, Gui-Hong Yu, Ling-ling Tan, Song Yang
Summary: This study characterized the structure and biosynthetic genes of carotenoid 1 produced by Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 for the first time, providing insights for engineering M. extorquens AM1 for high-yield production of carotenoid 1.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jun Young Choi, Pyung Cheon Lee
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jun Young Choi, Sun Chang Kim, Pyung Cheon Lee
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jun Ho Moon, Kunjoong Lee, Jun Ho Lee, Pyung Cheon Lee
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jun Young Choi, Hee Jin Hwang, Woo Yeon Cho, Jong-il Choi, Pyung Cheon Lee
Summary: A mutant Wickerhamomyces ciferrii 736 was obtained by gamma-ray irradiation, producing significantly higher levels of TAPS compared to the wild type. The mutant showed altered fatty acid profiles and increased gene expression levels for certain TAPS biosynthesis-related genes. These findings imply that system-level genetic and physiological alterations may contribute to the enhanced TAPS biosynthesis in mutant 736.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Minjae Han, Pyung Cheon Lee
Summary: Microbial production of bioactive retinoids has been reported, with successful redesign of two genes leading to increased retinoic acid production in Escherichia coli through engineering and culture optimization. Further refinements in gene expression levels and protein engineering may continue to enhance retinoic acid production.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Patrick Phaneuf, Daniel C. Zielinski, James T. Yurkovich, Josefin Johnsen, Richard Szubin, Lei Yang, Se Hyeuk Kim, Sebastian Schulz, Muyao Wu, Christopher Dalldorf, Emre Ozdemir, Rebecca M. Lennen, Bernhard O. Palsson, Adam M. Feist
Summary: This study demonstrates how novel strain designs can be extracted from aggregated ALE data, revealing global ALE mutation trends that inform on principles for ALE-derived strain design. By enhancing strain design efforts through meta-analysis of ALE data, significant insights into gene-centric nature of ALE-derived strain designs and the composition of beneficial variants are provided.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bo Hyun Choi, Sung Hui Kim, Pyung Cheon Lee
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between the structure and CDB-introducing capability of Phytoene desaturase CrtI, identifying three key amino acids that significantly determined carotenoid profiles. The mutated amino acids were found to be located in the membrane-binding domain of CrtI, influencing the FAD binding region and subsequently affecting the desaturation level in phytoene. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the function and regulation of CrtI in carotenoid biosynthesis.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Han Sae Lee, Jun Young Choi, Soon Jae Kwon, Eun Seo Park, Byeong M. Oh, Jong H. Kim, Pyung Cheon Lee
Summary: This study reports the high-level production of melanin using a new melanogenic Flavobacterium kingsejongi strain and a recombinant Escherichia coli overexpressing F. kingsejongi 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). The melanin synthesis of the F. kingsejongi strain was confirmed through various tests and analysis. Both the F. kingsejongi strain and the recombinant E. coli showed potential for large-scale production of bacterial melanin and could serve as platform strains. The melanin-producing bacteria could also be used to study the regulation of melanin biosynthesis pathway and its response to environmental changes.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bo Hyun Choi, Hyun Joon Kang, Sun Chang Kim, Pyung Cheon Lee
Summary: This study utilizes peroxisome membranes as storage depots for isoprenoids to increase their production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By genetically engineering the expression of peroxisome biogenesis-related peroxins, the size and copy number of peroxisomes in S. cerevisiae were increased. This resulted in significantly higher yields of isoprenoids, providing valuable information for ginsenoside production improvement and potential platforms for other isoprenoids.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyun Ju Lee, Woo Yeon Cho, Hong Cheol Lee, Yeong Hyun Seo, Jun Won Baek, Pyung Cheon Lee, Bun Yeoul Lee
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate the preparation of polyesters with enhanced biodegradability through a combination of old controversial macromolecules and aggregate theories. The prepared ionic aggregates of polyesters show much faster biodegradation than conventional polyesters under controlled soil conditions, while maintaining comparable or superior rheological and mechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mohammad S. Radi, Jesus E. SalcedoSora, Se Hyeuk Kim, Suresh Sudarsan, Anand V. Sastry, Douglas B. Kell, Markus J. Herrgard, Adam M. Feist
Summary: Membrane transport proteins are potential targets for medical and biotechnological applications. In this study, adaptive laboratory evolution was used to identify membrane transporters for four amino acids and specific mutations that modulate the activities of these transporters. The evolved strains displayed increased growth rates at high concentrations of the targeted amino acids. Whole genome sequencing revealed key mutations targeting the transporters and reverse engineering confirmed their causality. The functional roles of novel transporters were validated, and a production strain showed higher productivity when an identified exporter was overexpressed.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lei Yang, Sailesh Malla, Emre Oezdemir, Se Hyeuk Kim, Rebecca Lennen, Hanne B. Christensen, Ulla Christensen, Lachlan J. Munro, Markus J. Herrgard, Douglas B. Kell, Bernhard O. Palsson
Summary: Transporter discovery and engineering are crucial for the development of cell factories. This study presents a high-throughput workflow to identify Escherichia coli transporters responsible for exporting the inhibitory compound melatonin. Five transporters were found to be exporters of melatonin when knocked out, and one of them resulted in a 27% titer increase when overexpressed in the production strain. These findings demonstrate the importance of transporter identification and engineering for improving microbial cell factories and lay the foundation for scaling up melatonin production in E. coli.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Ho Lee, Seong-Rae Lee, Sejong Han, Pyung Cheon Lee
Summary: In this study, the complete genome of the agar-degrading bacterium Flavobacterium faecale WV33(T) isolated from Antarctic penguins' stools was reported. The genome of F. faecale WV33(T) contains numerous genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and the expression of putative agarases, involved in agar hydrolysis, was significantly enhanced in the presence of agar. Pangenome analysis showed high genome plasticity among Flavobacterium strains, and F. faecale WV33(T) was positioned in a unique clade in the evolutionary tree.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammad S. Radi, Lachlan J. Munro, Jesus E. Salcedo-Sora, Se Hyeuk Kim, Adam M. Feist, Douglas B. Kell
Summary: This study identified nine multidrug transporters, including acrB, mdtK, mdfA, acrE, emrD, tolC, acrA, mdtL, and mdtP, which contribute to resistance against efflux-based drug resistance. This finding can facilitate the rational design of multidrug transporter inhibitors to combat drug resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sung Wook Eun, Pyung Cheon Lee
Summary: The study systematically investigated the composition of a defined medium to increase the production of tetraacetylphytosphingosine (TAPS) in Wickerhamomyces ciferrii. Among the tested components, Zn2+ significantly influenced TAPS production. The modified defined medium without ZnSO4 and with 40 g/L glycerol as a carbon source achieved a 35% increase in TAPS production compared to the control medium. In batch bioreactor fermentation, the modified medium achieved 28% higher TAPS production than the complex medium. This study provides a potential base medium for large-scale TAPS production and metabolic engineering studies.
PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)