南工大姜岷和信丰学教授团队: 成功选育嗜温型高产虾青素的红法夫酵母并系统解析温度调控机制

Core Insights - Astaxanthin is recognized as one of the strongest natural antioxidants, with activity exceeding that of vitamin E by over 500 times. It has significant health benefits including antioxidant, anti-cancer, cardiovascular protection, and immune enhancement, and is widely used in animal feed, health supplements, cosmetics, and medical formulations [1] - The global market for astaxanthin is substantial, with a value of $3.7 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $11 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9%. It has received regulatory approvals in multiple countries including the EU, FDA, and China [1] - The primary natural sources of astaxanthin are Haematococcus pluvialis and Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous, with the latter recognized for its advantages in industrial production [1] Summary by Sections Industrial Production Challenges - The low-temperature fermentation process (20-22°C) of Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous has been a major bottleneck in the industrial production of astaxanthin, accounting for 30-50% of the total production energy consumption [3] Research Breakthroughs - A research team from Nanjing University of Technology has developed a mutant strain LX6 of Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous that can efficiently synthesize astaxanthin at room temperature (25°C). This breakthrough lays the foundation for low-cost industrial production [3][5] - The mutant strain LX6 shows a 2.5-fold increase in biomass and a 6.1-fold increase in astaxanthin yield compared to the original strain, with astaxanthin content increasing by 2.5 times [5] Mechanism of Temperature Tolerance - The study provided a comprehensive analysis of the temperature tolerance mechanisms of the mutant strain LX6, revealing that it has a more intact cell structure and increased membrane fluidity due to a 2.8-fold increase in unsaturated fatty acids [7] - Significant changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, ATP, and NADPH concentrations were observed, providing sufficient energy supply and a favorable redox state for astaxanthin synthesis [7] Genetic Insights - Four core mutation genes were identified through comparative genomics: IDH2, HMGR, CRTYB, and FAD3, which enhance the astaxanthin synthesis pathway [8] - Molecular docking analysis indicated that mutations in HMGR and CRTYB lead to favorable conformational changes in their substrate binding pockets, significantly strengthening the astaxanthin synthesis pathway [8] Industrial Validation - The LX6 strain achieved a record production of 1120 mg/L of astaxanthin in a 200-L bioreactor using sweet sorghum juice as a substrate, with a production cost reduction of 34.2% [12] - This research not only created a milestone strain for high-yield astaxanthin production but also provides a technical reference for the energy-efficient and low-carbon industrial bio-manufacturing of high-value natural products [12]