Isolation, characterization and biotechnological potentials of Thraustochytrids from Icelandic waters

• Published in: Marine Drugs
• Main Authors: Stefánsson, Magnús Örn, Baldursson, Sigurður, Magnússon, Kristinn Pétur, Eyþórsdóttir, Arnheiður, Einarsson, Hjörleifur
• Other Authors: Auðlindadeild (HA), Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences (UA), Viðskipta- og raunvísindasvið (HA), School of Business and Science (UA), Háskólinn á Akureyri, University of Akureyri
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Biomass; Fish byproducts; Líftækni; Lífmassi; Sjávarafurðir; Eyjafjörður; Skagaströnd; Hveravík; Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2282; https://doi.org/10.3390/md17080449

The following study reports on the first thraustochytrid isolates identified from Iceland. They were collected from three different locations off the northern coast of the country (Location A, Skagaströnd; Location B, Hveravík; and Location C, Eyjafjörður). Using 18S rDNA sequence analysis, isolates from Locations A and B were identified within the Thraustochytrium kinnei species while other isolates within the Sicyoidochytrium minutum species when compared to other known strains. Cells isolated from Locations A ( 2.10±0.70 g/L) and B ( 1.54±0.17 g/L) produced more biomass than the ones isolated from Location C ( 0.43±0.02 g/L). This study offers the first-time examination of the utility of byproducts from fisheries as a nitrogen source in media formulation for thraustochytrids. Experiments showed that isolates produced more biomass (per unit of substrate) when cultured on nitrogen of marine ( 2.55±0.74 g/L) as compared to of commercial origin ( 1.06±0.57 g/L). Glycerol ( 2.43±0.56 g/L) was a better carbon source than glucose ( 1.84±0.57 g/L) in growth studies. Fatty acid (FA) profiles showed that the isolates from Location C (S. minutum) had low ratios of monounsaturated ( 4.21±2.96% ) and omega-6 ( 0.68±0.59% ) FAs. However, the isolates also had high ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 35.65±1.73% ) and total omega-3 FAs ( 40.39±2.39% ), indicating that they could serve as a source of marine oils for human consumption and in aquaculture feeds. The T. kinnei isolates from Location A could be used in biodiesel production due to their high ratios of monounsaturated ( 18.38±6.27% ) long chain ( 57.43±8.27% ) FAs. The research reported here was partly funded by the AVS R&D Fund of the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in Iceland, grant number AVS: R 047-10. Peer Reviewed