Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications
Thraustochytrids, as a distinct group of heterotrophic protists, have garnered considerable attention owing to their remarkable adaptability in extreme marine environments, pronounced capacity for metabolic regulation and prolific production of high-value metabolites. The taxonomic classification of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1371713/full |
| _version_ | 1797249302486056960 |
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| author | Qiuzhen Wang Yong Zhang Ruixue Hui Yuanxiang Zhu |
| author_facet | Qiuzhen Wang Yong Zhang Ruixue Hui Yuanxiang Zhu |
| author_sort | Qiuzhen Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thraustochytrids, as a distinct group of heterotrophic protists, have garnered considerable attention owing to their remarkable adaptability in extreme marine environments, pronounced capacity for metabolic regulation and prolific production of high-value metabolites. The taxonomic classification of these microorganisms presents a substantial challenge due to the variability in morphological characteristics under different culture conditions. And this undermines the efficacy of traditional classification systems on physiological and biochemical traits. The establishment of a polyphasic taxonomic system integrating genomic characteristics in the future will provide new avenues for more accurate classification and identification. Thraustochytrids can effectively accumulate bioactive substances such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), squalene and carotenoids. Through fermentation optimization and genetic modification, scientists have significantly enhanced the production of these metabolites. Moreover, the application of thraustochytrids in aquaculture, poultry and livestock feed has significantly improved animal growth and physiological indicators meanwhile increasing their DHA content. Natural bioactive substances in thraustochytrids, such as terpenoid compounds with antioxidant properties, have been proposed for application in the cosmetics industry. In the field of pharmacology, thraustochytrids have shown certain anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities and provide potential for the development of new oral vaccines. Additionally, they can degrade various industrial and agricultural wastes for growth and fatty acid production, demonstrating their potential in environmental bioremediation. Therefore, thraustochytrids not only exhibit tremendous application potential in the field of biotechnology, but also hold significant value in environmental protection and commercialization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T20:28:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c0f3c1b71e354a968f04eba01095564e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T20:28:19Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-c0f3c1b71e354a968f04eba01095564e2024-03-22T04:32:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452024-03-011110.3389/fmars.2024.13717131371713Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applicationsQiuzhen Wang0Yong Zhang1Ruixue Hui2Yuanxiang Zhu3Ocean College, Hebei Agricultural University, Qinhuangdao, ChinaOcean Survey Department, Qinhuangdao Marine Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Qinhuangdao, ChinaOcean College, Hebei Agricultural University, Qinhuangdao, ChinaOcean College, Hebei Agricultural University, Qinhuangdao, ChinaThraustochytrids, as a distinct group of heterotrophic protists, have garnered considerable attention owing to their remarkable adaptability in extreme marine environments, pronounced capacity for metabolic regulation and prolific production of high-value metabolites. The taxonomic classification of these microorganisms presents a substantial challenge due to the variability in morphological characteristics under different culture conditions. And this undermines the efficacy of traditional classification systems on physiological and biochemical traits. The establishment of a polyphasic taxonomic system integrating genomic characteristics in the future will provide new avenues for more accurate classification and identification. Thraustochytrids can effectively accumulate bioactive substances such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), squalene and carotenoids. Through fermentation optimization and genetic modification, scientists have significantly enhanced the production of these metabolites. Moreover, the application of thraustochytrids in aquaculture, poultry and livestock feed has significantly improved animal growth and physiological indicators meanwhile increasing their DHA content. Natural bioactive substances in thraustochytrids, such as terpenoid compounds with antioxidant properties, have been proposed for application in the cosmetics industry. In the field of pharmacology, thraustochytrids have shown certain anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities and provide potential for the development of new oral vaccines. Additionally, they can degrade various industrial and agricultural wastes for growth and fatty acid production, demonstrating their potential in environmental bioremediation. Therefore, thraustochytrids not only exhibit tremendous application potential in the field of biotechnology, but also hold significant value in environmental protection and commercialization.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1371713/fullthraustochytridprotisttaxonomyω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsqualenepharmacological activity |
| spellingShingle | Qiuzhen Wang Yong Zhang Ruixue Hui Yuanxiang Zhu Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications Frontiers in Marine Science thraustochytrid protist taxonomy ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid squalene pharmacological activity |
| title | Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications |
| title_full | Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications |
| title_fullStr | Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications |
| title_short | Marine thraustochytrid: exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications |
| title_sort | marine thraustochytrid exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications |
| topic | thraustochytrid protist taxonomy ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid squalene pharmacological activity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1371713/full |
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